In an unprecedented turn, the Spanish press agency EFE recently announced the postponement of the “smart borders” project at the Bab Sebta border post (Tarajal), connecting the Sebta enclave to the rest of Moroccan territory, to the first quarter. 2025. This postponement occurs despite the completion of the work within the stipulated deadline.
Incomprehension persists regarding this new postponement. According to sources from the government delegation in Sebta, this delay is not linked to problems in the execution of the work, but to factors beyond the local framework. Initially planned to enter service in November 2024, the project was postponed due to a European decision to standardize the application of the entry and exit system (Entry/Exit System – EES) in all Member States.
This system aims to modernize checks on non-EU travelers by recording their data, including personal and biometric information, as well as entry and exit details. The objective is to strengthen the effectiveness of controls at the external borders of the European Union.
The European Commission clarified that several Member States were not ready to deploy this system by the initial date of November 10, 2024. However, the technical work carried out at the Tarajal station was completed according to schedule. These included the installation of advanced facial recognition systems and biometric devices to modernize one of the busiest crossing points between Europe and North Africa.
-Although work slowed down during the summer due to Operation Marhaba, it subsequently resumed intensively, enabling the border infrastructure to be completed on time.
Despite this progress, the implementation of the project remains dependent on a European decision requiring simultaneous activation of the system at all control points of the external borders of the Member States.
Morocco
