Melilla’s Economy Reels as Morocco Abruptly Shuts Key Border Customs Post

The Moroccan government stated that the closure of the commercial customs office at the Beni-Enzar border with the Spanish city of Melilla was "a normal and sovereign decision". A measure taken without notice and without official communication with the Spanish Executive.

For the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of the East Region of Morocco, Abdelhafid el Jaroudi, the measure had been desired by exporters and importers in order to unload the containers directly in the new port.

For its part, the government of the autonomous city of Melilla has described this decision to close this customs post, the most important between the two territories, as "unilateral" and considers it a "huge affront" to Melilla and Spain.

This measure has had "catastrophic" consequences on the inhabitants of Melilla, especially since a lot of goods transit through this post to enter the city.

"Spain is doing nothing to find a solution to this untenable situation," regretted Antonio Mena, the president of the national union of customs officers in Melilla.

The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated the situation of commercial blockade, with Morocco closing its borders until further notice.

For the union secretary, Andrés Cabrero, the solution to this problem is for Melilla to be part of the Community Customs Territory, as the Canary Islands have done.