The closure of customs occurred without prior notice, affecting the transit of goods in both directions. Morocco justifies this measure by claiming the celebration of the Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE), which runs from June 15 to September 15, a period characterized by a significant increase in the flow of people and vehicles between Europe and the north of AfricaFor its part, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that bilateral agreements contemplate the possibility of "modulating" or "temporarily halting" the passage of goods during periods of high traffic.
The reaction to this new closure has not been long in coming. John Joseph ImbrodaThe president of Melilla, Imbroda, has expressed his deep frustration: "There is no commercial customs office until further notice." Imbroda voiced a clear criticism of Moroccan influence in border relations, stating that "Morocco is in charge of relations with Spain at the Melilla and Ceuta borders, that's crystal clear." The Melilla president recalled that they have been "deceived several times since 2018" and have lost faith, emphasizing the need for Melilla "to no longer depend on these fluctuations and to build its future looking north." He labeled the recent reopening of the customs office in January a "farce," criticizing the central government's "weakness" in the face of Morocco's unilateral decisions.
This new closure is causing considerable alarm among the economic sectors of Melilla, whose livelihood depends largely on cross-border trade.
From the business sector, discontent is equally palpable. Juan Francisco Pérez QuilesThe affected customs agent recounts the problems they face: "We've been trying to get a ton of appliances through for five days, and finally, Morocco informed us of the ban by email." Pérez Quiles concludes resignedly that "they just keep putting up obstacles because this isn't working, and that's enough."
For its part, Enrique AlcobaThe president of the Melilla Confederation of Business Owners (CEME-CEOE) laments that "this is not a free, open, and international trade border for all sectors and all businesses. This is what Morocco wants: it opens when it wants, for the products they decide, and their merchandise can enter."
In contrast, the central government, through sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has maintained that the temporary closure complies with the provisions of bilateral agreements. According to these sources, "the agreement with Morocco stipulates that during periods of peak traffic, such as Operation Crossing the Strait, customs officials may adjust, or even temporarily halt, the flow of goods to allow for the movement of travelers." The Government Delegate in Melilla, Sabrina MohHe insisted that "customs is open to all businesses and there is no concession or monopoly of any kind," despite complaints from the business sector.
This new closure is causing considerable alarm among Melilla's economic sectors, whose livelihoods depend largely on cross-border trade. Both business owners and local authorities are demanding a firm response and stable solutions to prevent the city from remaining at the mercy of Morocco's unilateral decisions. The central government maintains that the reopening of the customs post in January was part of a "gradual and progressive process" within the normalization of relations, although the reality on the ground shows commercial activity limited and subject to constant interruptions.
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