Spain, Morocco agree to reopen African land borders after two-year closure

People walk past barbed wire on their way to the border separating Morocco and Spain, at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, north Africa. AP - Mosa'ab Elshamy

The land borders between Morocco and Spain's north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla will reopen next week, the authorities in Madrid have announced. The frontier was closed for more than two years due to Covid-19 restrictions and tensions between the two governments.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told reporters the reopening will start gradually from 17 May. Crossings will initially be limited to residents of Europe's passport-free Schengen area and their family members, and will be expanded to cross-border workers by the end of the month.