UN Security Council meeting sees heated exchange between Morocco, Algeria

A UN Security Council meeting on integrating Mediterranean youth into peace and security efforts, hosted by Malta on Wednesday, became a platform for renewed tensions between Morocco and Algeria. Speaking during the meeting, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf accused «a neighboring state», implying Morocco, of «flooding the Mediterranean basin with drugs». He also called for an «end to the occupation of territories» including Western Sahara. Morocco's

Morocco guest of honor at the Madrid Gourmet Show

Morocco makes its debut as a guest of honor at the Salon gourmets de Madrid, held April 22-25, 2024, in the Spanish capital. This major event, considered Europe's largest trade show for gourmet and delicatessen products, provides a prime platform to showcase Moroccan gastronomy and bolster its high-end offerings on the international stage. A 348 sqm Moroccan pavilion will spotlight the country's culinary expertise, rich dishes, and diverse culinary repertoire. 15 exhibitors representing the

Morocco-UK power cable project faces cost hike to £24 billion

The estimated cost of a massive power cable project connecting Morocco and the UK has surged significantly, according to a report by British magazine New Civil Engineer on Wednesday. Xlinks, the developer behind the project, now estimates it could cost up to £24 billion, a 10-20% increase from the initial £20 billion estimate. The project consists of building four 3,800-kilometer high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. These cables will run from the UK's south coast, passing

Sahara CIA files #1 : Algerian military, President at odds over Western Sahara

A CIA document reveals differences between the Algerian military and President Chadli Bendjedid in the 1980s regarding the Western Sahara conflict. While military leaders called for escalation the Algerian President favored diplomacy.

Sahara talks : UN envoy frustrated by parties' conditions

On Tuesday, April 16, the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting to discuss the Sahara issue. During the meeting, council members reaffirmed their support for UN envoy Staffan de Mistura's efforts to restart negotiations. However, the UN envoy expressed concerns about conditions set by the parties (Morocco, Algeria, Polisario) for resuming talks. After nearly three years in his role, he has yet to bring all parties to the same table. Algeria continues to advocate for

Algeria's Foreign Minister visits New York ahead of UN session on Sahara

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf arrived at UN headquarters on April 16, hours before the start of a closed session of the Security Council devoted to the Sahara issue. At the UN, Attaf met with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura to discuss «UN steps and efforts aimed at relaunching the political process, involving both parties to the conflict – the Polisario Front and Morocco, to find a solution guaranteeing the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination», according to the

Spain admits talks with Morocco on Sahara airspace transfer

The Spanish government has admitted to holding talks with Morocco on the issue of Saharan airspace. This comes in a written response to a question by a Canary Islands MP, acknowledging «two bilateral meetings» on the topic since the diplomatic rapprochement with Rabat in spring 2022. The government affirms that these negotiations are in line with point 7 of the Moroccan-Spanish Joint Declaration of April 7, 2022, which called for «discussions concerning the management of

Driver who deliberately killed victim in Casablanca parking lot receives death penalty

On Tuesday, April 16, the driver identified as having deliberately run over 23-year-old doctoral student Badr Bouljoihel received the death penalty. In 2019, the accused was convicted for similar offenses, where the manslaughter was deemed involuntary.

UB40 to headline Jazzablanca festival on June 6th

Legendary reggae pop band UB40 will be performing at the Jazzablanca festival on Thursday, June 6th on the Casa Anfa stage, according to a press release sent Tuesday to Yabiladi. The British band boasts over 100 million albums sold and more than 50 chart-topping singles in the UK. This year marks their 45th anniversary, which they'll celebrate with a performance at Jazzablanca. Casablanca audiences can expect to hear some of UB40's biggest hits, including «Kingston Town», «I

King Mohammed VI reiterates call for creation of a legally binding code of ethics for MPs

On Monday April 15, King Mohammed VI congratulated Rachid Talbi Alami of the RNI on his re-election as head of the House of Representatives. In his short message, published by MAP, the King reiterated his call, made a few months earlier, «for the moralization of parliamentary life» to «consolidate confidence in elected institutions». On January 17, during the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the kingdom's first elected parliament,