Historic reopening: First commercial vehicle crosses Morocco-Spain border after six years

In a significant development for Morocco-Spain relations, the first commercial truck successfully crossed from Melilla into Morocco through the Beni Enzar customs post on Wednesday, marking the end of a six-year closure that began in August 2018. The vehicle, carrying approximately 600 kilograms of home appliances, represents the initial step toward normalized customs operations between the two nations.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed this milestone from Beirut, emphasizing its importance in implementing Spain's roadmap with Morocco. The successful crossing follows an earlier attempt on January 8 that was delayed due to technical issues requiring resolution between customs authorities.

Under the current agreement, operations are limited to one non-articulated truck daily in each direction, operating between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., excluding holidays in both countries. The arrangement specifies that Morocco will export fresh products, including fruits, vegetables, fish, and aggregates, while Spain will export hygiene products, home appliances, and electronics.

The reopening comes in the wake of Spain's 2022 endorsement of Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Sahara, a move Spanish media described as a departure from Spain's traditional neutral stance on the dispute. While Spanish media outlets have suggested that Morocco is using the customs situation to influence Sahara's airspace control, Albares dismissed these claims as "strange theories," asserting the existence of a clear and transparent roadmap between the two countries.

The border posts, which represent the only land borders between the European Union and Africa, had been completely closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local business representatives from Ceuta and Melilla have expressed concerns about the limited nature of the current customs operations, which differ significantly from the unrestricted operations that existed before the 2018 closure.