Morocco-Spain Border Uncertainty Leaves Diaspora Travel Plans in Limbo

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Marhaba Operation, the Spanish and Moroccan governments have scheduled the movement of Moroccans residing abroad.

While "Spain is ready for the transit of citizens", according to Arancha González Laya, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Moroccan government continues to maintain the suspense regarding the opening of its borders.

For the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, the opening of the borders depends on the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the kingdom and in the world, but also and above all, on the health measures taken by the transit countries such as Spain and Italy. In any case, Morocco has a "clear protocol, with at least 9 days of confinement and two PCR tests" to which all travelers will be subjected, the minister added.

The subject has been the subject of regular exchanges between the Moroccan and Spanish governments in order to ensure better organization of the operation, the Spanish minister has assured.

However, the collaboration between the two governments does not reassure some players. The mayor of Algeciras, the main transit city, considers the operation to be "the most difficult of the last 32 years", citing the coronavirus pandemic. For the right-wing mayor, José Ignacio Landaluce, there is an "uncertainty" hanging over this operation, believing that "Spain is not ready..." and that "if Morocco is not involved in the coordination, the operation is impossible".