For several weeks, the Moroccan authorities have refused Moroccans holding a “special” Spanish visa, most often for 24 hours, to enter through the two crossing points of El Tarajal in Sebta and Beni Ensar in Melilia.
In its edition of Friday, March 29, the daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, which reports this information, specifies that this “special” visa was in force since the reopening of the two crossings, closed for more than two years (from March 20, 2020, to 17 May 2022) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Passages also suffered the repercussions of the crisis that Moroccan-Spanish relations went through in 2021, before experiencing a happy ending with the visit of Pedro Sanchez to Morocco during Ramadan 2022.
According to Al Ahdath sources, precise and firm instructions were given to the authorities responsible for border control to no longer accept the “special” visa issued by the Spanish consulates in Tetouan and Nador to Moroccans working or wishing to work in these presidencies.
This “special” visa, which does not give the right to enter Spain, and despite its duration being limited most often to 24 hours, has allowed hundreds of Moroccan housekeepers and workers to work in the two presidencies. or present documents relating to obtaining a residence permit or president’s access card guaranteed by their local employer.
For their part, certain Sebta media report that the Moroccan authorities now require a Schengen visa to enter Sebta and Melilia, but also in Spain and the countries of the European Union.
This Moroccan decision seems irrevocable, because, despite their protests, none of the numerous “special” visa holders has assumed the presidency in recent days. Only holders of a valid residence card, an access card signed by the Sebta authorities, or a Schengen visa are authorized to cross the border.
Negative fallout was recorded in Sebta, according to Spanish media, particularly among certain entrepreneurs who suffered from a lack of labor, particularly cleaning agents.
Even though the Moroccan authorities have not given any justification for this ban, negotiations are underway between Rabat and Madrid to find an agreement governing commercial traffic and the movement of people at these two crossing points.
Especially since some people take advantage of a “special” 24-hour visa to legally enter one of the presidencies to stay there illegally and be expelled as illegal immigrants.
A new bilateral agreement would be in the interest of Spain, which is seeking a way out of the crisis that has plagued the presidencies since Morocco’s closure of customs offices at the border, which led to the drying up of merchandise traffic which caused the golden days of Spain. presidential economy.
