News Flash

MP questions UK ambassador's position on the Sahara

In a plea for recognition of the Moroccan Sahara by the United Kingdom, British Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski highlighted the shared economic, political and strategic interests between Rabat and London, as well as the values shared by both parties. During the parliamentary session held on May 8, he also referred to the unconvincing position of his country's ambassador to Morocco on this issue. «During our visit to Morocco, we had a very unsatisfactory discussion with the British

Spain's People's Party launches new anti-Moroccan campaign

The head of the Spanish government appeared before the House of Representatives this morning, with foreign policy taking center stage in the debate. The leader of the opposition People’s Party (PP), disagreeing with the government's foreign policy, criticized Pedro Sanchez for his «silence» when Morocco claims Ceuta and Melilla as Moroccan territory. Alberto Núñez Feijóo further criticized Sanchez on the issue of Western Sahara, accusing him of

Morocco eyes 2024 bond issuance, Finance Minister says

Morocco will be releasing an international bond in 2024, the country's finance minister told Bloomberg. «We are constantly monitoring international markets», Finance and Economy Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui said on Wednesday on the sidelines of a gathering of Arab finance officials in Egypt's new administrative capital. «We don't feel any pressure, but we are watching for the best timing for the issue», she added, without giving further details on any planned

Utrecht Centraal Museum to showcase Moroccan-Dutch creativity in fashion

Utrecht, Netherlands, will host a fashion exhibition celebrating Moroccan-Dutch creativity. The city's Centraal Museum will house the exhibition titled «MOḌA: Moroccan Fashion Statements», according to Dutch media. Created in collaboration with DAR Cultural Agency, a Rotterdam-based platform showcasing contemporary talents in art, design, and architecture, the exhibition explores seven themes that spotlight the personal stories of the Moroccan diaspora in the Netherlands. The

AfDB, BCP sign $70 million deal to boost African trade

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) signed on Tuesday, May 21, a risk-sharing agreement (RSA) worth US$70 million. While this amount represents a global risk limit for local African banks, it is critical to support private sector financing and boost trade on the African continent, according to a BCP press release. The Bank's Country Manager for Morocco, Achraf Tarsim, explains that «this partnership with BCP aims to diversify Morocco's production

Achraf Hakimi reportedly gets green light to join Morocco for Paris Olympics

Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly authorized Achraf Hakimi to join the Moroccan national team for its participation in the Olympic Games in Paris from July 24 to August 9, 2024, according to L'Équipe newspaper. The player is keen to represent his country, having already played in two World Cups and three African Cup of Nations tournaments. Kylian Mbappé, who recently transferred to Real Madrid, is reportedly in negotiations with the French national team regarding the Olympics.

Morocco, Brazil boost security cooperation with signed MoU

In a bid to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange experiences in the security field, Director-General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, signed a memorandum of understanding with General-Director of the Brazilian Federal Police, Andrei Augusto Passos Rodrigues, on Tuesday in Agadir. The MoU was signed during a working visit by General-Director of the Brazilian Federal Police to the Kingdom of Morocco, the Directorate General of National Security

Morocco Justice Minister calls hotel marriage checks illegal

During an upper house session at the parliament, Tuesday, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, said that requiring couples to show a marriage certificate when checking into a hotel is illegal and a violation of their privacy. «Isn't this a violation of their private life? What is the legal foundation behind this request?» Ouahbi argued. «If the law doesn't explicitly require it, then demanding it is illegal». The Minister went even further, stating that

The Polisario official behind «RASD is not a state» drives the point home

The Polisario official behind «RASD is not a state» stands by the statements he made in Paris in December 2021. Although Mustapha Ali Sidi El Bachir has since been isolated by the Polisario leadership and banned from traveling abroad, he still heads the «Ministry for the Occupied Territories and the Sahrawi Diaspora» without having revised his convictions. This is evidenced by his speech at a recent meeting held in the Tindouf camps to commemorate the 51st

Morocco, Ethiopia hold first political consultations

Addis Ababa hosted the 1st session of political consultations between Morocco and Ethiopia on Monday, May 20. The meeting was co-chaired by Morocco's Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fouad Yazough, and Ethiopia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mesganu Arga. Discussions focused on «ways to further strengthen cooperation relations». Both parties emphasized «the need to review and reinforce the existing cooperation agreements in the domains of

Chellah reopens after restoration, unveiling new visitor experience

The Regional Development Company «Rabat Region Historical Heritage» (RRPH) has announced the reopening of the Chellah archaeological site to visitors, following the completion of restoration work that began in 2021. A press release sent to Yabiladi details RRPH's mission entrusted by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication. This includes managing and operating the Chellah, improving public access and facilities, and enhancing the site's appeal through new exhibitions

Spain allocates €3.5 million for improved access road to Moroccan border

The Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has allocated €3.5 million (37.7 million dirhams) to improve safety and pedestrian traffic on the Ceuta access road leading to the Moroccan border. According to a press release from the Government Delegation quoted by EFE news agency, the chosen stretch of road experiences «a number of safety concerns and high traffic volume (13,200 vehicles/day)». Traffic levels increase significantly during summer months due to

Essaouira Gnaoua Festival celebrates 25th edition with fusion concerts

As part of its 25th-anniversary program, the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival promises an exciting lineup from June 27 to 29, 2024. In addition to the opening night's original creation, festival-goers can look forward to five electrifying fusion concerts featuring talents from South Africa, Spain, the United States, France, Mali, and Senegal, all collaborating with Gnaoua maâlems (masters). This very concept of pairing Gnaoua music with diverse international artists is what

Morocco, US sign military cooperation roadmap

On Tuesday in Rabat, Morocco and the United States signed a roadmap for military cooperation, outlining the implementation of initiatives identified at the 13th session of the Moroccan-American Defense Consultative Committee (DCC). The signing ceremony concluded the DCC's two-day working meeting at the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) General Staff headquarters. King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the FAR, awarded decorations to three American officers in recognition

Algeria accuses Morocco of «draining dams» on shared border

The Algerian government accuses Morocco of «systematically draining the dams» located along its western border. Algerian Minister of Hydraulics, Taha Derbal, made the accusation during his participation in the 10th International Water Forum held in Bali, Indonesia. «We condemn what is happening on our western borders», Derbal said in a statement to the daily El Khabar. «We will bring this issue to the attention of all international players in the vital water

Morocco, US discuss security cooperation at 13th Defense Advisory Committee session

On Monday, May 20, Rabat hosted the 13th session of the Morocco-United States Defense Advisory Committee. The Biden administration was represented by Celeste Wallander, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. In the Moroccan capital, she held talks with General of the Army Corps, Inspector General of the FAR, and Commander of the Southern Zone, Mohammed Berrid. The Committee meeting «constitutes a platform for strategic dialogue where crucial

No official representation for Polisario in Switzerland, says Swiss government

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs affirmed that no official representation of the Polisario Front exists either at the United Nations Office at Geneva or with the Federal Council (Swiss government). In a verbal note addressed to the Moroccan Embassy in Bern, the Department specified that the Polisario Front office in Geneva does not benefit from any privileges or immunities in Switzerland. This clarification, which constitutes a new setback for the Polisario, also reminded the

Polisario prevented from holding military parade in «liberated territories»

This Monday, May 20, the Polisario celebrated the 51st anniversary of the launch of its armed struggle. The commemoration was organized in the Tindouf camps, on Algerian territory, under a large tent set up for the occasion, with some foreign delegations present. The traditional military parade in the «liberated territories», such as Tifariti or Bir Lahlou, did not take place. The Front has thus been prevented for the fifth consecutive year from commemorating one of its holidays in