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.

Morocco police probe threats against anti-normalization body leader

Yesterday morning, the judicial police in Salé questioned Aziz Hennaoui, Secretary General of the Moroccan Observatory Against Normalization, after he received a written summons, according to the observatory. Hennaoui had previously filed a complaint through the Sûreté Nationale's e-blagh platform, reporting an online comment that included a direct death threat, along with a voice note and video containing threats, insults, defamation, and incitement to hatred. The alleged

Azzedine Ounahi joins Panathinaïkós on loan from Marseille with option to buy

Under contract with Olympique de Marseille (OM) from 2023 to 2027, Moroccan international Azzedine Ounahi has left the club to join Panathinaïkós on loan with an option to buy. After making an impact at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and moving to OM last summer, the player has recorded 3 goals and 1 assist in 44 games. Azzedine Ounahi is green ☘️#paofc #Panathinaikos #Ounahi_is_green pic.twitter.com/O3JK0TaZcU — Panathinaikos F.C. (@paofc_) September 4, 2024 The transfer to

Sahara question absent from Slovenia's Security Council agenda

Slovenia is currently presiding over the United Nations Security Council from September 1 to 30. The Sahara issue is not included on the provisional agenda released by Ljubljana's Permanent Mission to the UN. During his visit to Slovenia on August 29 and 30, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf expressed high praise for the Slovenian presidency of the UN Security Council, even before it officially began. «We are confident that the Slovenian presidency will be exceptional»,

After Indonesia, the Polisario excluded from the China-Africa Forum

Beijing has excluded the Polisario Front from the China-Africa summit, which opened on Tuesday, September 3, with a meeting of foreign ministers. In August, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met with the Chinese ambassador in Algiers to advocate for the Polisario's inclusion in the China-Africa summit. An Algerian media outlet subsequently claimed that the Polisario's presence at the China-Africa summit was a «de facto necessity». Beijing has consistently rejected Algerian

Morocco's National Human Rights Council approves DNA tests for Tazmamart victims

The Association «Victims of Tazmamart and Their Friends» announced that the National Council for Human Rights has contacted some families of the victims to conduct DNA tests on the remains of those who died unjustly in Tazmamart prison. While acknowledging the significant delay, the association commended the National Council for Human Rights for finally responding to their request. In a statement, the association expressed appreciation for the response but emphasized that it was

Inwi partners with Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali

Moroccan telecommunications company Inwi has announced a partnership with Soufiane El Bakkali, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion. The partnership aims to celebrate El Bakkali's extraordinary achievements and inspire young people to push their limits and believe in their potential, Inwi said Tuesday in a statement. Inwi stated that the partnership with El Bakkali embodies its desire to promote successful role models who can inspire young Moroccans to achieve their