Crossing the Strait

Operation Crossing the Strait 2022 has begun. A decision that benefits thousands of people who have been waiting for almost two years for the situation to normalise so they can return to their homes in Morocco from their current place of work and residence in European countries such as France, Belgium or Switzerland.

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 prevented millions of people from travelling back and forth because of the measures taken to combat the virus and prevent its spread. The immediate closure of Moroccan borders, as soon as the risk of the pandemic became known and when the different waves were intensifying their effects and contagion, has meant that thousands of families have been separated for many months.

The other factor that contributed to the border closures in Ceuta and Melilla was due to the political crisis that the Spanish and Moroccan governments have maintained for ten months. Last year, the Rabat government authorised the return of its nationals in summer only via French and Italian ports, and punished Spaniards. This Operation Crossing the Strait, known in Morocco as Marhaba (Welcome), is one of the largest movements of people in Europe in such a short space of time.

The resolution of the political crisis between Madrid and Rabat included, in its 16-point joint communiqué, a special dedication to the recovery of a vital activity for thousands of families who have seen, over the years, how Spain has taken measures to facilitate the long and tiring transit between the centre of Europe and North Africa. From more and better rest areas, road signage, access to ferry tickets, facilitating the process in Spanish ports in the shortest possible time and in the best possible conditions, both on the outward and return journeys. 

It was an operation in which special attention also had to be paid to security in order to prevent irregular immigrants and, most worryingly, the infiltration of terrorists. The dimensions of Operation Marhaba are eloquent if we look at the data from the last time it was carried out normally in 2019: more than three million passengers (3,340,045) and 760,215 vehicles crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on board the ships of the maritime companies that operate between Morocco and Spain and that have recovered their activities a few weeks ago.

At this time, restoring collaboration between the two neighbouring countries is of great benefit to millions of people who ultimately need their governments to work to solve their problems, which is what is happening above and beyond the noise and intoxication.