Algeria pushes for Polisario inclusion in China-Africa summit

With the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for September 5 and 6 in Beijing, Algeria has begun lobbying Chinese officials for the inclusion of the Polisario Front. On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Minister met with the Chinese ambassador in Algiers to discuss preparations for Algeria's participation in the high-level meeting. At the recent AU Executive Council session in Accra, Ghana, the Algerian Foreign Minister criticized the exclusion of the Polisario from international

350 people try to swim to Ceuta, many intercepted

In the early hours of Thursday morning, nearly 350 people attempted to swim to Ceuta. Moroccan and Spanish authorities intercepted most of them before they reached the shore. Twelve adults of Algerian nationality and four children successfully crossed and were transferred to reception centers for unaccompanied minors, according to Iberian media sources. Earlier in August, 163 unaccompanied minors have arrived in Ceuta. Last Tuesday, a group of young people attempted this dangerous

Jean Mohamed Ben Abdeljalil, the Moroccan who crossed religious boundaries

Jean Mohamed Ben Abdeljalil, originally from a notable Moroccan Muslim family, converted to Catholicism in 1928, a decision that sparked significant controversy both in Morocco and among Moroccan students in France.

Doctor arrested in Taounate for alleged insult to Islam

Last week, security authorities in Karia Ba Mohamed, located in the Taounate region, arrested a doctor on charges of «insulting Islam» in posts he had shared to his personal Facebook account, according to local media sources. The doctor is currently being held in Ain Aicha prison in Taounate, with the first session of his trial scheduled by the Taounate Court of First Instance for Thursday, August 22. The AMDH branch in Karia Ba Mohamed has expressed solidarity with the detained

Polisario losing ground as Morocco's autonomy plan dominates, South African institute remarks

The Polisario Front's quest to establish a state in Western Sahara is gradually diminishing, according to a South African think tank, which added that South African officials believe the separatist front has failed to garner international support for its demands, while Morocco continues to rally support for its 2007 autonomy proposal.

Air Arabia Maroc faces 85,000 euro fine for PNR violation

Italian authorities have fined Air Arabia Maroc 85,000 euros (915,249 dirhams) for failing to transmit passenger reservation data (PNR) to border police. According to Italian newspaper Il Corriere, border officials in the northwestern province of Cuneo detected irregularities during checks on a flight from Morocco at Levaldigi airport. Le360 reports that Air Arabia Maroc is the sole airline operating direct flights from Casablanca to this destination, which is popular among low-cost

Hirak activists hopeful for pardon, thank public for solidarity in new letter

«The overwhelming public support for our case strongly refutes all slander and false, morally abusive allegations», the Hirak Rif detainees stated, referring to the widespread expectation that they would be pardoned on the anniversary of the King and the People's Revolution. In a letter conveyed by Nasser Zefzafi's father, Nasser Zefzafi, Samir Aghir, Mohamed Haki, Zakaria Adhehchour, and Nabil Ahmajik added that this public support «is a spontaneous referendum without any

Melilla-based patrol boat commander issues Morocco a warning

Manuel Ángel López has assumed command of the patrol boat «Isla Pinto», based in the port of Melilla. The military officer, who took office on August 1, 2024, has issued warnings to Morocco. «We must remind Morocco that Spain maintains sovereignty over the two cities of Ceuta and Melilla and has territorial waters with associated rights that must be respected», he emphasized in press statements on Monday. «Moroccan boats cannot fish in Spanish

Polisario member criticizes leadership and questions viability of «self-determination»

The option of «self-determination for the Saharawi people», championed by the Polisario leadership and Algeria, is losing support even among Saharawis most opposed to Morocco. This shift is evident in the reaction of Said Zarwal, who has been living in Sweden for years following threats from a Polisario «minister», to the communiqué issued by the Front's General Secretariat after its August 20 meeting. Zarwal stated, «Anyone who bets on the UN-sponsored

Canary coalition condemns Moroccan naval exercises near Fuerteventura

The Canary Coalition, a governing party in the Canary Islands, has expressed concern over the Royal Moroccan Navy's naval exercises in Saharan waters. Cristina Valido, the coalition's sole deputy in the Spanish parliament, warned on Wednesday about the potential ecological risks of Morocco's military maneuvers near Fuerteventura, a region known for its cetacean populations. Valido urged the Spanish government, particularly the Foreign Minister, to disclose information about the