Morocco Restricts Diplomatic Passport Holders from Entering Spanish Enclaves

Moroccans holding a diplomatic or official passport are required to depart from the various ports of the Kingdom (Tanger-Med, Tanger ville or the port of Nador), or by air.

Morocco’s decision to limit the movements of its diplomats or other senior officials at the Spanish enclaves reflects the Kingdom’s refusal of the presence of the Spanish colonist on its land and the desire to regain control of the two cities.

Despite the many meetings between Moroccan and Spanish officials on both the fight against illegal immigration and security coordination, the authorities of the Iberian country persist in not wanting to put the issue of the two Spanish enclaves on the negotiating table.

The decision to close access to the two cities to Moroccan diplomats also coincides with the inauguration of the Tanger-Med 2 port by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan. This giant project can only reflect Morocco’s determination to remain a strategic partner of Spain, but also a fierce competitor of the ports of Algeciras and Valencia.