Spain launches smart border in occupied Melilla at a cost of 83 million euros
Oriental Eco
Spain is preparing to launch a smart border system on October 12, in a move aimed at modernizing border control systems using digital and biometric technology. This new European system of entry and exit includes the occupied Melilla crossing, which could reshape the transit equations between Morocco and Europe.
The Spanish Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a “smart border” system that relies on digital technology instead of the traditional manual stamping of passports. This technological shift represents a paradigm shift in European border management methods, especially at sensitive crossing points such as occupied Melilla.
The system will be gradually implemented at all of Spain's external border crossings, including airports, ports and land borders. Occupied Melilla and Ceuta are central to this strategy, as they are the most important points of contact between the European and African continents.
The new mechanism relies on the recording of travelers' full biometric data, including facial images, fingerprints, and personal information for non-EU arrivals. This system will enable the authorities to track any overstaying or detect attempts to cross with false identities.
The project is part of a European strategy launched in 2016 and is scheduled to be completed by April 2026. The Spanish authorities have allocated approximately 83 million euros to equip all crossings with advanced technical systems, reflecting the strategic importance of this transformation.
The Spanish National Police will retain direct security oversight, while the Civil Guard will continue to perform its duties in the fight against smuggling and customs offenses. This distribution of responsibilities ensures continuity of security operations despite technical modernization.
For the occupied Melilla crossing, a daily artery for the movement of thousands of people and goods, the implementation of smart systems could radically change the dynamics of the crossing. On the one hand, new technologies may speed up procedures and reduce waiting times.
On the other hand, tighter controls could lead to additional complications for daily crossers, especially Moroccan laborers who depend on this crossing for their livelihoods. The balance between security and convenience will be the biggest challenge to the success of this system.
The development comes in the context of increasing European interest in tightening controls on illegal migration, especially across the continent's southern borders. The new system will provide a comprehensive database that allows for more accurate monitoring of the movement of people across borders.
The implementation of smart borders is expected to impact the local economy in the region, both by improving the efficiency of cross-border trade and by influencing the daily commuting patterns of workers. This technological change brings with it new challenges and opportunities for residents of the border region.
The smart border project represents an important technological development, but at the same time it raises questions about its impact on the rights of movement and mobility of Moroccan citizens. The successful implementation of this system will require a delicate balance between security requirements and humanitarian and economic considerations.
