FIFA approves Brahim Diaz's switch to Moroccan national team

FIFA has approved the change of sporting nationality for player Brahim Diaz, who could be poised to make his debut for the Moroccan national team in their upcoming friendly matches against Angola and Mauritania, as reported by the Spanish newspaper Marca. On Tuesday, March 12, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation obtained a document approving the change of Diaz's sporting nationality from FIFA. The Real Madrid player had previously played only one friendly match with Spain against Lithuania

Hamas leader urges Morocco’s PJD Secretary-general to help «end Israeli aggression»

Chairman of Hamas's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, who currrently lives in Qatar, has sent a written message to the secretary general of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), Abdelilah Benkirane, the Islamist party's website reported on Tuesday, March 12. In his letter, the Palestinian calls on his «brother», referring to Benkirane, to «contribute to providing urgent aid» to the population of Gaza, «oppose normalization with» Israel and «put

Polisario fears invasion as Morocco deploys forces near the buffer zone

The Polisario expresses concern regarding the significant presence of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) in the Sahara region, particularly in Aousserd, Mahbes, and Gueltat Zemmour. According to Polisario sources cited by Sahrawi media, this deployment undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. These sources also report the arrival of military formations, including Abrams tanks, self-propelled howitzers, and approximately ten armored rapid intervention vehicles, in Aousserd. They

Morocco refuses repatriation of migrants who swam to Ceuta irregularly, Spanish media claim

Morocco is reportedly still refusing to return its citizens who swam into the city irregularly, local media in Ceuta claimed. The El Faro de Ceuta website reported that «none of the approximately 70 Moroccans, who entered Ceuta on Saturday, were accepted». The same source added that this position has remained unchanged for more than a month, which in fact forced the Civil Guard to change its procedures. They now transport migrants to Paseo de Colon and not directly to the

Morocco's Islamists divided on Family Code reform

Islamist association Al Adl wal Ihsane and the Justice and Development Party (PJD) appear to be taking divergent approaches regarding the current Family Code reform. Whereas the PJD, led by Abdelilah Benkirane, has chosen a confrontational approach with its opponents, AWI advocates for a «reform that unites and does not divide».

Air Arabia Maroc announces Tetouan to Amsterdam direct connection

Air Arabia Maroc announced on Tuesday the launch of its direct flight program linking Tetouan to Amsterdam, as part of the extension of its travel offers to Europe. This connection will be operational from May 7, 2024, with two weekly flights, on Tuesday and Friday. «For Tuesday flights, the planes will depart from Tetouan (TTU) at 06:10 and land in Amsterdam (AMS) at 10:15, before resuming their flight from Amsterdam at 11:15 for an arrival in Tetouan at 1:20 p.m. On Fridays, the planes

French court upholds deportation of Moroccan imam Hassan Iquioussen over hate speech

A French administrative court upheld, Monday, the deportation of imam Hassan Iquioussen to Morocco, RFI reported. Iquioussen, a French-born man of Moroccan nationality, had previously challenged the deportation order issued by the French Ministry of the Interior in July 2022. Iquioussen was initially accused of hate speech, with French authorities alleging he made «repeated acts of explicit and deliberate provocation to discrimination, hatred or violence against Jews, women and

Dakhla consulate plans pushed by the Biden administration

The Biden administration is not planning to open a consulate in Dakhla anytime soon. Funding for this project is not included in the 2025 budget of American diplomacy. This announcement was made on Monday, March 11, by Richard R. Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. «I think that some of the planning is still ongoing for the appropriate presence, given the security conditions», he responded to a question on the subject. Verma is the State Department's

Spain coach respects Brahim Diaz's choice to play for Morocco

Commenting on Moroccan-Spanish footballer Ibrahim Diaz's decision to play for Morocco, Spanish national team coach Luis de La Fuente said he respects the young man’s choice. «Everyone has the freedom to choose. For me, there are always three criteria for selection: the player's ability to play for the national team, their desire to play for the national team, and my own selection choice», he explained. He continued, as reported by the Spanish newspaper AS, «The most

Morocco, Algeria arms race persists despite recent downturn

According to SIPRI, Morocco and Algeria persist in an arms race, ranking as Africa's largest arms importers. This is despite a significant decline in their acquisitions during the period 2019-2023, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.