Melilla Businesses Protest Border Closure as Economic Crisis Deepens

8 associations of merchants and businessmen of the city have asked the local government the right to demonstrate on November 5 and 19 next, after suffering huge losses following the land embargo imposed by the Moroccan authorities on the presidio.

The associations deplore the attitude of the Spanish government, which is unable to find a compromise with its Moroccan counterpart, since the closure of the commercial borders in August 2019. They hold the government responsible for the loss of income of their businesses.

According to the Spanish media, the merchants and businessmen of Melilla are considering transmitting to the authorities in Madrid their despair in the face of this crisis described as "dangerous", with harmful consequences for their families and their businesses.

While the local government of the enclave describes the closure of the crossing as a provocative act that "goes against the agreements and conventions signed in the mid-20th century", the central government continues to remain silent since the closure of the Beni Nsar border post last August.