The land borders separating Spain\u2019s two African enclaves from Morocco reopened for the first time in 26 months on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The border crossing of El Tarajal was festive at the time the border opened around midnight.<\/p>\n
According to Spanish daily El Pais, people applauded and sang after the long-awaited restoration of mobility. Hundreds of people crossed the border overnight.<\/p>\n
The Spanish city of Ceuta is just over seven square miles (18 square kilometers), while Melilla is not even five square miles.<\/p>\n
They both represent the only EU land borders with an African nation.<\/p>\n
Many people in the area split their lives between Spain and Morocco. Before the beginning of the pandemic, there were an estimated 5,000 cross-border workers.<\/p>\n
But the borders have not returned to what they once were. For now, only those with legal permission to enter the Schengen area can enter Spain.<\/p>\n
On May 31, cross-border workers will be allowed in, while a working group will continue determining the next groups of people or merchandise that will be allowed to cross the borders.<\/p>\n
The border was first closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, but Morocco kept it closed to pressure Spain to change its position on the independence of Western Sahara.<\/p>\n
It was exactly one year ago that Ceuta was the scene of a fierce political clash between Spain and Morocco.<\/p>\n
After Spain was caught treating the leader of the Western Sahara Polisario Front, an enemy of Morocco, for Covid-19, Moroccan guards allowed more than 10,000 migrants to flow into Ceuta on May 17, 2021.<\/p>\n
But that conflict has long subsided. Madrid has shifted and now backs Rabat\u2019s view that Western Sahara should be an autonomous region within Morocco.<\/p>\n
With the reopening of the borders, Spain has reinforced police presence in its African enclaves. (PNA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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