Melilla Merchants Protest Extended Border Closure with Morocco

The Melilla Merchants Association (ASCEMEL) has called for a protest against the decision of the Spanish authorities to extend the border closure by 15 days, after announcing an "imminent" reopening, at the end of Ramadan or May 1. Persistent rumors had announced the reopening of the border on Maundy Thursday, prompting dozens of people to head towards the Beni Ensar border crossing, recalls El Faro de Melilla.

To read: Protesters Rally at Melilla-Morocco Border, Demand Reopening After Two-Year Closure

No date has yet been set for this reopening, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said on Friday, assuring that the resumption of the movement of people and goods between Morocco and Spain will be "gradual". The government delegate in Melilla, Sabrina Moh, for her part stressed that "the Spanish government is working to meet the wish of many people to see the border reopened and to guarantee the general interest".