Rabat – Ceuta is being “backed into a corner” warn Spanish press as development in northern Morocco is threatening the economic viability of Spain’s remaining African possessions.
In a report on Friday, December 3, Spanish newspaper El Espanol warned that “Morocco leaves nothing to chance,” as development in the Tetouan region of northern Morocco is set to impact the economy of Ceuta.
“Commerce in Ceuta worked thanks to the citizens of the neighboring region, Moroccan tourists and European visitors,” the Spanish outlet emphasized amid a list of fears that the Tanger Med commercial area could soon outcompete the Spanish enclave.
Read also: Samir Bennis: Spain Must Return Its African Enclaves To Morocco
Morocco is rapidly developing the area around Ceuta, located in northern Morocco, just as it has done with the region surrounding Nador, near Melilla. El Espanol described development in Nador as “pharaonic work of Mohamed VI in this decade,” as it laments similar developments near Spain’s other remaining foothold on the African continent.
The threat to Ceuta, according to El Espanol, appears to be twofold.
On one hand it risks drawing vital tourism and commerce away from the Spanish enclave, threatening the viability of its economy. Secondly, it is set to provide meaningful employment to local Moroccans, which undermines the lucrative trade in contraband which depends on cheap local labor for transportation.
Read also: Spain’s North African Enclaves Report Worsening Economies
The Spanish outlet highlighted the establishment of large stores offering international products such as Swedish furniture giant Ikea and British electronics firm Virgin Megastore.
El Espanol banked on growing Western fears of an emerging China as another “threat” in Ceuta. “China is still very present in the Mohamed VI Tangier Tech City project, a modern, futuristic and environmentally-friendly industrial city,” author Sonia Moreno laments.
Ceuta’s position as an enclave dependent on shipping leaves it vulnerable to Moroccan development, especially as Tetouan’s bustling airport is set to expand with another runway. While Melilla has the option of using its airport as an air bridge of sorts, Ceuta is backed “in a corner,” the Spanish newspaper warns.
