The borders between the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and northern Morocco will be open again on May 17, after more than two years of closure following the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an announcement made by the minister. Spanish Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
« There is an agreement between (…) the governments of Spain and Morocco for the borders of Ceuta and Melilla, the land borders, to open on May 17 at midnight, that is to say in the night from Monday to Tuesday,” said the minister.
If the measure of border closure is also lifted around the world, due to the drop in cases of Covid-19 contamination, the border posts of the two cities had not yet returned to normal operation due to diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Madrid.
Spanish support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara is the key to ending this crisis. Since Madrid decided on March 18 to review its position vis-à-vis the Sahara issue, several issues have evolved satisfactorily between the two countries.
According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the reopening was due to take place at the end of April, but it was extended for a fortnight for better preparation. Also, from May 17, the reopening will be done gradually so as to “guarantee safety and public health”, he specified.
Another clarification given to the press by Grande-Marlaska is the fact that only nationals of countries in the Schengen zone will be able to cross these borders in the first place, before the measure is extended to « all cross-border workers », from May 31. .
By OMA Newsletter N° 702 of 13/05/2022
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
