Flash actualités

Morocco assists US in major narco-terrorism and arms trafficking cases

Morocco has played a key role in two major US-led investigations targeting international criminal and terrorist networks, providing support in arrests, intelligence, and coordination. In the first case, a US federal jury convicted Antoine Kassis, a Lebanese-Syrian national, for his role in a narco-terrorism plot involving cocaine trafficking and arms deals with the Colombian ELN group. The investigation, led by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), relied on a wide international

Morocco «fully ready» to host WAFCON at any time, Minister says

Morocco remains ready to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) «at any time», Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour said, despite the tournament’s last-minute postponement. «This was a decision made by CAF», Mezzour told the BBC, stressing that Morocco is fully prepared «to host any competition, any time, and we will be very proud and very happy to host it, be it this month or within three months». Initially scheduled to

Costa Rica backs Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara

Costa Rica on Friday described Morocco’s autonomy initiative as «the most appropriate, serious, credible, and realistic basis» for reaching a political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, stating that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty «could be the most feasible solution». The position was outlined in a Joint Declaration signed in Rabat following talks between Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign

Royal Air Maroc launches direct flights from Brussels to Tetouan

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) launched a new direct flight between Brussels and Tetouan on Friday, marking a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between Morocco and Belgium. The inaugural flight, operated twice weekly (on Mondays and Fridays), departed from Brussels Airport (Zaventem) at 12:15 p.m. and arrived at Tetouan–Sania R’mel Airport. The new route is expected to enhance connectivity to Morocco’s northern region and boost its tourism and economic appeal. To

Moroccan rapper sentenced to prison for disrespecting constitutional institution

The criminal chamber of the Court of First Instance in Taza sentenced young rapper Souhaib Qabli to eight months in prison and a fine of 1,000 dirhams, along with court costs, on Thursday evening. The court acquitted him of the charges of «insulting public officials in the course of their duties» and «spreading false allegations intended to harm individuals’ private lives or defame them». However, he was convicted on charges of disrespecting a constitutional

Moroccan government adopts new decrees for House of Representatives elections

The Government Council on Thursday adopted two draft decrees related to the election of members of the House of Representatives, presented by the Minister of the Interior. The first, draft decree No. 2.26.278, amends decree No. 2.11.605 of October 19, 2011, which sets the form and content of the single ballot paper used in elections to the House of Representatives, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said during a press briefing following the meeting. The text aims to update the

Weather alert: Heavy storms and snow expected in Morocco

Thunderstorms, locally heavy and accompanied by hail, as well as snowfall, are expected on Friday and Saturday in several provinces across the Kingdom, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM). Locally heavy thunderstorms (20–30 mm), with hail, are forecast from Friday at 10:00 a.m. to Saturday at 1:00 a.m. in the provinces of Al Haouz, Khénifra, Chichaoua, Azilal, Figuig, Khouribga, Béni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Midelt, Tinghir, Errachidia, Zagora, and

Morocco: 135 pyramid scheme cases handled, 137 suspects arrested

Between January 1, 2024, and February 15, 2026, Moroccan authorities handled 135 out of 182 fraud cases linked to pyramid schemes, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said in response to a written parliamentary question. In this context, 137 suspects have been arrested and referred to justice, while the number of victims has reached nearly 1,887. According to the minister, these figures highlight the scale of the threat posed by pyramid scheme networks, which target victims’ savings

Morocco hosts French tour operators forum to boost tourism strategy

Morocco is stepping up its outreach to key markets by hosting the annual SETO Forum in Tamuda Bay from March 25 to 27, 2026, a major gathering of French tour operators. Following efforts to strengthen its presence in the US market during the USTOA Congress, Morocco’s National Tourism Office (ONMT) is now turning its focus to France, the Kingdom’s leading source market, by bringing together key decision-makers from the French tour operating sector. This strategic move comes as

Avincis partners with De Havilland Canada to boost aircraft services in Morocco

The multinational firm Avincis has inked a deal with De Havilland Canada to supply and maintain «Canadair» aircraft across Morocco and Europe. This agreement aims to bolster the maintenance and repair services for amphibious planes, with a particular focus on those deployed in firefighting missions. Thanks to this partnership, aviation operations in Morocco will gain from Avincis's extensive expertise in engineering and technical modifications for the CL aircraft family. This

Two dead near Agafay after mudbrick wall collapse during storm

Two people tragically lost their lives in Douar Rjal Hmar in the Agafay commune, on the outskirts of Marrakech, after mudbrick walls collapsed during severe thunderstorms and strong winds that swept through the region on the evening of Wednesday, March 25. Following the alert, local authorities, along with the Royal Gendarmerie and civil protection teams, quickly arrived at the scene. One victim was pronounced dead on site, while the second succumbed to injuries during rescue operations. The

Snubbed by Morocco, PSV winger Couhaib Driouech hints at frustration

PSV winger Couhaib Driouech appears to be frustrated at not being included in Morocco’s squad for the upcoming friendlies ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Fans pointed to a cryptic message he posted on Instagram as a sign of that frustration: «Some people never understand what you have to offer until they see you sitting at another table». The post came shortly after Ajax talent Rayane Bounida received his first call-up, having recently chosen to represent Morocco

Five fishermen missing off Dakhla after ship collision

Search operations are ongoing off the coast of Dakhla to locate five fishermen who went missing after a commercial vessel collided with the trawler Miss Dakar 2. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, around 80 miles from the port of Dakhla. According to local media reports, rescue teams were initially able to save eight crew members. The search continues for the remaining five, amid conflicting reports over the total number of people on board at the time of the collision. Naval and air

Morocco vs Ecuador friendly in Madrid ensures tight security with 1000 personnel

Around 1,000 security personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety of the international friendly match taking place this Friday, March 27, between Morocco and Ecuador at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. The security plan, coordinated by the Government Delegation in Madrid, includes officers from the national police, civil guard, and municipal police, as well as emergency response teams, in addition to security staff from the host club. Authorities have stressed that large or

Visa and SWAM team up to secure payments in Morocco

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced a strategic partnership with Switch Al Maghrib (SWAM), a vital national infrastructure and operator of payment interoperability, to enhance payment security in Morocco. As part of the agreement, SWAM will integrate Visa Advanced Authorization (Network Agnostic VAA) into its security system, strengthening fraud monitoring for domestic card transactions processed through the national switch, reads a press release. The solution, part of

Education: Morocco Created 90,000 budgetary positions between 2021 and 2025

The number of budgetary positions created in Morocco’s education sector between 2021 and 2025 has reached 90,000, Government Spokesperson and Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament Mustapha Baitas said on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference following the Government Council meeting, Baitas highlighted the significant resources allocated to human capital, notably the implementation of a general salary increase of 1,500 dirhams net, benefiting around 330,000 civil

Morocco bets $4 billion on hotel expansion ahead of 2030 World Cup

Morocco is planning to expand its hotel capacity by 20% ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup through a $4 billion investment plan. The program aims to add 25,000 hotel rooms across 700 projects in the country’s main cities, according to Bloomberg. Citing Imad Barrakad, head of the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT), the initiative is described as «one of the most significant expansions ever undertaken in the kingdom». According to him, the program will be largely

Trump ally backs US push to label Polisario a terrorist group

The bill introduced in the United States Congress to designate the Polisario as a terrorist organization continues to gain traction. Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican close to Donald Trump, voiced her support yesterday for the initiative, which was introduced in June 2025 by Senator Joe Wilson and Representative Jimmy Panetta. Stefanik’s backing carries particular weight. In November 2024, Trump had appointed her as the United States’ permanent representative to the UN