China-Africa Forum : Algeria prioritizes economic cooperation over Polisario support

On Thursday, September 5, Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, delivered his country’s statement at the China-Africa summit. Notably, Attaf did not reiterate Algeria's usual stance in Beijing, which typically includes calls «to end decolonization in Western Sahara» and «to organize a self-determination referendum» for the region. Instead, the foreign minister focused on economic matters, emphasizing Algeria's commitment to China's «Belt and Road»

Heavy storms expected in Morocco from Friday to Saturday

Very heavy thundershowers accompanied by hail and gusty winds are expected in several Moroccan provinces from Friday to Sunday, according to the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM). A red alert has been issued for the provinces of Zagora, Tinghir, Errachidia, Ouarzazate, and Tata, forecasting very heavy thundershowers (70-120 mm) from Friday at 6 PM to Sunday at 11 PM. An orange alert (30-70 mm) is in place for the provinces of Assa-Zag, Taroudant, Midelt, Es-Semara, Figuig, Azilal,

Zineb Seghrouchni on redefining Moroccan fashion in Dutch exhibition

Zineb Seghrouchni, founder of DAR Cultural Agency and co-curator of an exhibition on Moroccan fashion in Utrecht, highlights how Moroccan fashion is often misrepresented in the West. According to Seghrouchni, it is typically reduced to «bling bling» and decorative elements, overlooking the depth of craftsmanship and the blend of traditional and contemporary design. The exhibition, which can be seen from October 3rd in the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, aims to change these perceptions

Limited mental health knowledge among Moroccan non-psychiatrists harms patients

A study found that many non-psychiatrist physicians in Morocco lack knowledge in prescribing psychotropic medications. This knowledge gap, combined with the shortage of mental health professionals, can lead to suboptimal care for patients with psychiatric disorders.

France appoints a new Prime Minister close to Morocco

Following early parliamentary elections and nearly two months of waiting, the French President has appointed a new Prime Minister to succeed Gabriel Attal. After extensive negotiations with key political figures, Emmanuel Macron chose Michel Barnier, a member of the classical right. This is seen as positive news for Morocco. Barnier held several ministerial positions under the presidencies of François Mitterrand (during the second cohabitation with Prime Minister Édouard

The Sloughi, the North African sighthound with an ancient history

The Sloughi, a prized North African sighthound, has been celebrated for its exceptional hunting abilities and noble appearance for centuries. Locals call it «El Hor», the pure, for its long history and esteemed status.

Moroccan drivers in Italy struggle with license conversion delays

Moroccans residing in Italy are still awaiting progress in converting their Moroccan driving licenses. The process has been delayed since 2019 due to Morocco's switch to biometric licenses, which are not covered by the 1991 bilateral agreement, Italian media reported. On July 18, 2023, Moroccan Houcine Fatih, president of the Atlas Association of Trento, made a public appeal to resolve the issue. However, despite a new agreement signed on March 27 between Moroccan Ambassador Youssef Balla and

Algeria lowers presence at Indonesia-China forums amid Polisario exclusion

In response to the Polisario's exclusion from the Africa-Indonesia forum and the Africa-China summit, Algeria lowered the level of its representation at both events. Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf abstained from attending the Bali meeting, held on August 2-3 in Indonesia, and the delegation was instead led by Yacine El Mahdi Oualid, Minister of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-enterprises. In his speech, Oualid defended the Polisario's cause, stating, «There is one people

Netanyahu's map controversy reignites tensions over Israel's stance on Sahara

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy again after publishing a map of the Arab world that labeled Morocco's northern part as «Morocco» and the southern part as «Western Sahara», without a dividing line between them. Netanyahu appeared at a press conference explaining the importance of controlling the Philadelphia Axis, which separates Egypt from the Gaza Strip. His move ignited a wave of controversy among Moroccans on social media, with many

Rural tourism in Morocco's Al Haouz still hampered one year after earthquake

In addition to the heavy death toll, the Al Haouz earthquake caused significant damage to infrastructure and a shockwave in the tourism sector. Since September 8, 2023, professionals have faced major reconstruction challenges. At the same time, tourist guides remain hopeful of a gradual resumption of activity in the region.