Spain’s Sahara Stance Shift Boosts Border Security Cooperation with Morocco

24 March 2022 – byPrince@Bladi · 1 min read

The positive effects of the Spanish government’s decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara are already being felt. Senior police and Civil Guard officers say this change of position has helped unblock security issues at the borders with Morocco, which have been pending for two years now.

For the police and the Civil Guard, the change of position on the Sahara will open a "stable" relationship between Morocco and Spain. In just one week, the exchange of information on subjects considered "ordinary", non-urgent by Morocco because they concern Ceuta and Melilla, has improved considerably, confides a senior police official to Cadena Ser.

Another senior official welcomes the speed with which police cooperation with Morocco on drug trafficking, organized crime and the fight against illegal immigration has been reactivated, after two years of latency.

As for cooperation in the fight against jihadist terrorism, it has rather worked well during the crisis, they assure, specifying that joint operations have been carried out during the period and have led to the dismantling of terrorist cells and the arrest of several jihadists.

Category: Spain

Keywords:

Illegal immigration Spain Cooperation Terrorism Sahara Autonomy