Morocco Renovates Ceuta Border Crossing, Sparking Hopes for Reopening

Morocco has undertaken renovation and development work at the "Bab Sebta" border post, which is changing the appearance of the city, reports the El Faro newspaper of Ceuta. Images posted on social media show that new passenger control booths and larger spaces are being built there. This work could lead to the reopening of the borders, closed since last March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the contraband trade. This renovation delights the residents of Bab Sebta and the surrounding area, who live mainly from cross-border trade.

For their part, the authorities of the enclave have also renovated the Tarajal post, with the installation of sophisticated control devices, in order to tighten the control of drug trafficking. These include facial recognition equipment and electronic registration machines.

The halt in border activity had provoked the anger of many Sebtis. Demonstrations had taken place in Mdiq-Fnideq, during which they had called for the reopening of the Bab Sebta crossing and the resumption of trade. Hope seems to be reborn for the resumption of tourism and commercial activity, through the arrival of Moroccan tourists, the preferred target of Sebti merchants.