The borders of the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have reopened

General view of the border between the Moroccan city of Fnideq and the small Spanish enclave of Ceuta (illustration image).

FADEL SENNA / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla reopened on the night of May 16-17 after two years of closure.

A closure linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and a diplomatic quarrel between Madrid and Rabat.

Reconciliation is now on the agenda. 

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Images posted on social networks show lines of pedestrians and dozens of cars circulating on both sides of the Ceuta enclave.

This reopening of the borders took place in a festive atmosphere.

Many had not seen their loved ones for more than two years.

Diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Madrid

The borders of the Spanish enclaves had been closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic before being prolonged following the diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Madrid.

The two countries disagree on the highly sensitive issue of Western Sahara. 

In April 2021, Polisario leader Brahim Ghali was treated in a Spanish hospital.

This had triggered the anger of Rabat which had interrupted the surveillance of its borders.

More than ten thousand migrants had then arrived in the enclave of Ceuta in 24 hours.

A limited reopening

Last March, Spain finally did an about-face.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has recognized the Moroccan autonomy plan, which has allowed a

, particularly on migration issues.

However, the reopening of borders remains limited since it only concerns holders of passports and visas from countries in the Schengen zone.

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