Provisional visas will now be granted to Moroccans stranded in Ceuta to allow them to visit their relatives in Spain. This has been decided by the local authorities of the Spanish enclave.
This Saturday, March 13, marks one year since the land borders between Spain and Morocco were closed, much to the dismay of the inhabitants of the two countries. With the health crisis continuing, it is to be feared that the situation will remain unchanged for a long time to come.
Stranded in Ceuta for a year due to the closure of the borders, three Moroccans tried to reach the kingdom by swimming. Two of them, exhausted, were rescued at the last moment by the Civil Guard agents.
In response to questions from some senators from the PP and Vox parties, the Spanish government stated that Morocco is a "strategic partner" with whom it can have divergent positions on essential issues such as the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla.
In a report published on Monday, March 8, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Andalusian Association for Human Rights (APDHA) calls for the rights of thousands of female mules to be respected during this period of health crisis that has led to the closure of borders.
In Bab Sebta, residents are optimistic about the imminent reopening of the borders and the resumption of activity, which has been at a standstill for nearly a year. This optimism is explained by the renovation of the border crossing.
More than 10% of the 185 young Moroccans residing at the Temporary Relocation Center for Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (Menas) of "La Esperanza" in Ceuta have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the city’s Health Department.
Many Moroccan women who were almost at term used to go to Ceuta to give birth, where the quality of health services is better. With the closure of the border due to Covid-19, this influx of births has dropped dramatically.
The Spanish government has decided to keep the border posts between Morocco and Ceuta and Melilla closed until March 31, 2021. The postponement of the opening of the border crossings between the two cities and the kingdom is due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Malika B., a Moroccan stranded in Ceuta since the closure of the border in March, had fled her husband in Morocco who was physically abusing her. She is eagerly awaiting the reopening of the borders to bring back her six children, whom she left in Fnideq , in order to start a new life with them.
In Ceuta , about 50% of the population speaks "Ceuti Arabic", considered the mother tongue. Despite this undeniable reality, "Ceuti Arabic" does not seem to be sufficiently representative and visible for public institutions. In a manifesto, civil society is calling on the authorities to work for the protection and officialization of this language.
The president of the autonomous city of Melilla , Eduardo de Castro, said in an interview on Sunday radio that relations with Morocco "are tense" due to the latter’s unilateral closure of commercial customs, and the difficulties of entering goods through Malaga and Almería. He called on the central government and the European Union to "ease these tensions".