Belyounech – Benzú Border Crossing

Belyounech is a small Mediterranean village that borders on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Located 16 km from Fnideq, with the main border crossing, this point attracted our attention during the planning stage because it appeared as if there was a border crossing here. The area immediately by the crossing is a restricted zone and the access road is guarded and can be sealed with a large blue metal gate. On the Spanish side of the border is Benzú a small settlement within the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta. I visited this point as part of the IBRG SPEGEX-22 trip.

As we were driving a Moroccan rental car, we simply drove through the gate and parked, this gave us access to the wider area. Photography was formally not allowed. It was not possible to visit the border itself as that was located behind 2 fences on the Moroccan side. It appears to be marked at this point by a small stream. As far as we could tell, and no one spoke English here, the border crossing had not been in use for some time (since the early 2000’s), and prior to it closing was used for local workers who filled hotel and childcare posts across the border. Other women bought household items which in turn were sold in Moroccan markets, it’s closure impacted on the local Moroccan economy. We visited this point from both the Moroccan and Spanish sides.

From the Moroccan side

The beach

It was easy to access the beach and approach the Moroccan border fences.

Note at least 3 Moroccan fences before the border.

From the Spanish side.

Travelling to the open border crossing at Ceuta -Fnideq we hired a taxi to take us to the Spanish side of this closed border. Once again photos were not permitted and we had to observe from a slight distance.