A tense situation is developing at the border crossings of Ceuta et Melillawhere the Morocco reportedly decided to block the entry of Spanish trucks despite the recent reopening of customs. According to Spanish sources, the checks imposed on vehicles can last up to 11 hours, significantly hampering the commercial traffic provided for in the initial agreement.
According to media reports, this situation is linked to a dispute over theairspace of the Western Sahara region. The Moroccan authorities have reportedly informed Madrid that the current blockade is a response to the non-compliance with commitments made by Spain concerning the transfer of this airspace. An outing which will not fail to provoke a reaction in Madrid.
Diplomatic issues
Diplomatic sources had mentioned in the fall of 2024 that a final agreement would have been reached on this issue, but its implementation would not have yet taken place. THE Morocco would request a transfer “ immediate » and official status of this airspace, thus conditioning the proper functioning of customs and the end of any tensions that it is sometimes possible to observe.
This request for management of the Sahara airspace would have been initially discussed during bilateral meetings in November 2022. Currently, it is the Spanish air traffic control center in the Canary Islands which supervises this area, in accordance with the regulations of the Organization of international civil aviation (ICAO).
-Strategic implications
For Morocco, control of this airspace would represent a major strategic issue, particularly with regard to its position in disputes relating to territorial waters near the Canary Islands, an area known to be rich in natural resources, particularly hydrocarbons and which is a source of tensions, in particular with Spain, but also Algeria which defends the independence of Western Sahara at all costs to international authorities.
Morocco
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