News Flash

Morocco Foreign Minister holds phone call with French counterpart

Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita spoke by telephone with his French counterpart, Stéphane Séjourné. The exchange «focused on the positive bilateral dynamics as well as regional and international issues», Moroccan Foreign Ministry announced on X. This phone call comes a month after the last official meeting between the two ministers, which took place in Paris on April 9. Bourita and Séjourné also met in Rabat on February 26. Since then, Morocco

French police halt pro-Polisario rally over clash fears

On Saturday, May 11th, the French authorities banned Sahrawis from holding a rally in the town of Bressuire, in the Deux-Sèvres department, to commemorate the «51st anniversary of the creation of the Polisario Front», reports Ouest-France. The decision was motivated by security considerations. The police prefecture feared clashes between Polisario supporters and Moroccans, who were planning to hold a counter-demonstration on the same day. Bressuire had already hosted

Elections in Catalonia : USFP urges Moroccan-Spanish citizens to vote for the Socialist party

The Catalans are back to the ballot boxes on Sunday, May 12, to elect a new parliament. Opinion polls indicate that the regional Socialist Party is set to win, led by former Health Minister Salvador Ia. The socialists are followed by two independent groups: the Republican Left and Junts ('Together'). The elections are also important for the Spanish-Moroccan community residing in Catalonia. Moroccan left-wing party Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) has called on them to

Belgium probes alleged possible «Moroccan interference in elections»

Belgian authorities are investigating «potential Moroccan interference in the country's upcoming elections», RTBF reported on May 10th. This investigation follows RTBF's December exposé on Belgian officials advocating for the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The Central Office for the Repression of Corruption (OCRC) initially reviewed RTBF's findings and submitted a report in late December. After discussions between prosecutors, the Brussels public prosecutor's

Morocco votes in favor of the admission of the State of Palestine to the UN

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution on May 10th, urging the Security Council to reconsider Palestine's membership bid. The Morocco-backed text passed with 143 votes in favor, 9 against (including the US and Israel), and 25 abstentions. This vote is symbolic, as the Security Council holds veto power. In April, the US vetoed a similar proposal from Algeria in the Security Council. Palestine, a UN observer member since 2011, lacks full voting rights and cannot hold

Algerian appeals rejected by CAS in USMA vs. RSB dispute

The Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) Appeals Chamber dismissed, on May 10th, a new complaint filed by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) and Union Sportive de la Médina d'Alger (USMA). This May 8th complaint challenged the April 30th decision by the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Appeals Committee, which awarded Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) victories in both legs of their CAF Cup semi-final against USMA. This rejection comes after CAS dismissed another FAF

OCP signs fertilizer deal with Sierra Leone

On the sidelines of the Kenya Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit on May 9th, OCP Africa signed a significant cooperation agreement with Sierra Leone. «OCP Africa is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone, aiming for a just agricultural transition putting soils and farmers at its core!», OCP Africa said Friday on X. The partnership is meant to «implement a range of initiatives, including last-mile

U.S. awards $2.5 million grant to combat human trafficking in Morocco

The U.S. State Department's anti-trafficking office awarded a $2.5 million grant to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), along with implementing partners the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). The grant aims to strengthen «detection, identification, protection, return, and reintegration of victims of trafficking in persons» in Morocco. The U.S. Embassy in Morocco announced the grant on Friday at a

Moroccan firm begins surveying for Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline

ETAFAT, a Moroccan company specializing in engineering and geospatial data, announced the commencement of topographical surveys for the northern section of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project. This surveying phase will cover areas within Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. The project's initiation follows a meeting in Rabat between ETAFAT, Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Minerals (ONHYM), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). Previously, N-Sea, a Dutch subsea

Wydad Casablanca unveils new jersey with full Moroccan map

Moroccan football club Wydad Casablanca commemorated its 87th anniversary on May 8th by unveiling a new jersey design on Facebook. The jersey features the full map of Morocco, along with the club's founding year and establishment date. This kit is expected to be worn for both domestic league matches and international competitions during the upcoming season. This announcement comes after Algerian authorities refused to allow the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane club to play the semi-final of

Dakhla International Film Festival returns with focus on African cinema

The 12th edition of the Dakhla International Film Festival will take place from June 3rd to 9th under the theme «Dakhla: Gateway to Africa», announced the Association for Cultural and Artistic Revitalisation of the Southern Provinces. The festival promises a rich program showcasing films «produced and created by the African continent», reflecting its diversity and originality. This includes works from both Sub-Saharan and Arab regions. Screenings will be held at the

Man declared dead revives before burial in Settat

In a bizarre turn of events, a man in Settat was declared dead by a private clinic in Casablanca but revived before burial procedures began. According to Hespress, the man suffered a sudden, serious health condition and was transferred to the Casablanca clinic for tests and treatment. Despite these efforts, the clinic tragically pronounced him dead on Thursday. The family prepared for the burial, even setting up a mourning tent. However, to their utter shock, the deceased relative

UN boosts budget for MINURSO mission

The United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) reported that MINURSO's financial allocation increased from $60.5 million (July 2022 - June 2023) to $64.5 million (up to June 2024). The mission's budget for the next phase will further increase by 9.1%. According to Spanish media citing the report, the next period's budget allocates $7.525 million for military and police personnel, $25.44 million for civilian staff, and $37.74 million for operational

Morocco pushes for agricultural innovation and sustainability at Kenya fertilizer summit

Morocco's Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, led the country's delegation to a fertilizer and soil health summit in Kenya yesterday. During the event, he presented a series of proposals aimed at bolstering Africa's agricultural sector. Bourita's vision centers on creating an «African Consortium for Innovation in Agriculture». This body would coordinate efforts to improve fertilizer use and soil health across the continent, facilitating technology sharing and joint development of

Moroccan professor awarded compensation for AstraZeneca vaccine complications

A Moroccan university professor has been awarded a landmark decision by the Rabat Administrative Court. The court ordered the state to pay her 250,000 Dhs in compensation for complications she claims arose from an AstraZeneca vaccine injection. The professor filed her case in June 2022, citing serious health issues following the mandatory vaccination implemented in certain sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, government officials like spokesperson Mustapha Baitas and Health

Oracle to expand R&D presence in Morocco, hiring 1,000 IT professionals

American tech giant Oracle announced plans to significantly expand its research and development (R&D) operations in Morocco. The company will hire an additional 1,000 IT professionals, boosting its local workforce and accelerating the development of cutting-edge technologies that address global customer challenges, it said on Thursday in a press release. This expansion was formalized on Thursday through a signed agreement between Ghita Mezzour, Morocco's Minister for Digital Transition

Casablanca Stock Exchange launches Moroccan Capital Market Days in London

This week, London plays host to the seventh edition of the Moroccan Capital Market Days, the Casablanca Stock Exchange's premier international event. Key figures convene to promote the Moroccan stock market. Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, Moroccan Capital Market Authority President Nezha Hayat, and a Moroccan delegation of exchange representatives, listed company officials, and capital market players will be in attendance. Running through Friday, the event boasts prestigious

Tebboune and Chengriha speak of Morocco as the main threat to Algeria

Without mentioning it by name, Morocco was present in the speeches delivered in Algiers on Wednesday 8 May by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the head of the country’s armed forces, General Said Chengriha. In his speech, the military chief said that his soldiers were «ready to face any eventuality on our borders». For his part, the Head of State referred to «security concerns» and the importance of a strong military. «As we strengthen the army, we will