Morocco's Arrabet and Skaleet partner for a new neo-bank offering in Africa  (Read more...)

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton finds solace and adventure in Morocco's Sahara

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a Moroccan getaway during his summer break. The racing star shared, Wednesday, stunning photos from his trip to the Sahara Desert oasis town of Erfoud on his Instagram account. «For a second year, I’m so fortunate to travel through Africa during the break», Hamilton wrote. «The first time around I was overwhelmed by just how beautiful and healing this world can be, and this trip is no different. Just like last time,

Ivory Coast seeks visa restrictions for citizens visiting Morocco

Ivory Coast has requested that Morocco impose a visa requirement on Ivorian passport holders entering the Kingdom, according to a July 2024 note from the Ivorian Embassy in Rabat. The document, circulated on social media and reported by Ivorian media, specifies that the measure will apply only to Ivorian citizens holding ordinary passports and is scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2024, for a two-year period. The Ivorian government claims that the decision aims to regulate migration

Melilla businessmen frustrated by Morocco's ongoing customs border closure

Melilla businessmen have expressed deep disappointment with the Spanish central government, accusing it of broken promises. José Luis Martínez Lázaro, president of the Andalusian Family Business Association, told local news outlet El Faro de Melilla that despite attending numerous meetings and being promised €357 million, the business community has seen no tangible benefits. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures has exacerbated the situation, with

Morocco condemns Israeli bombardment in Gaza and calls for ceasefire

Morocco condemns the Israeli army's bombardment of schools and hospitals in Gaza. This position was voiced on August 14 in Dakhla by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita during a joint press briefing with his Chadian counterpart. On August 9, an airstrike on a school in Gaza sheltering displaced Palestinians killed more than 100 people. The Moroccan foreign minister also denounced the «incursions carried out by members of the Israeli government at the Al Aqsa Mosque» in Al Quds. Bourita

Father of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal stabbed in Spain, hospitalized

Mounir Nasraoui, the Moroccan father of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, has reportedly been stabbed in Mataro, a town in Catalonia, Spain, according to information gathered by the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia. Citing an anonymous source, the newspaper reports that Yamal’s father was stabbed during a fight on Wednesday evening in a parking lot in Mataro. He was subsequently transferred to Can Ruti Hospital in Badalona, a municipality in Catalonia, is allegedly in a serious condition. The

King Mohammed VI honors Soufiane El Bakkali for Olympic gold in Paris 2024

On Wednesday at the Royal Palace in Tetouan, King Mohammed VI received athlete Soufiane El Bakkali, the gold medalist in the men's 3,000m steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. On this occasion, the sovereign awarded Soufiane El Bakkali the Ouissam Al Arch of the Commander’s Order. The audience, which took place in the presence of Abdeslam Ahizoune, President of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA), reflects the King’s unwavering commitment to youth and the

Morocco calls on the UN to ensure self-determination for the «Kabyle people»

Morocco has responded to Algeria's recent intervention at the UN Security Council, where Algeria called «for self-determination for Western Sahara». In a countermove, Rabat accused Algeria of denying the same right to the Kabyle people. During the August 12 Security Council debate, Algeria's Foreign Ministry condemned Morocco's «occupation of Western Sahara». In response, Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilale sent letters to the Security Council President and members,

20 Moroccans rescued from human traffickers in Mexico

Mexican police in Mexicali, Baja California, rescued 20 Moroccan migrants held captive by a criminal gang, local media reported. The operation was initiated following reports from concerned citizens who heard cries for help coming from a house. Upon arrival, state authorities freed the 20 Moroccan men, who claimed to have been kidnapped by a human trafficking group demanding a ransom for facilitating their illegal entry into the United States. The migrants described a perilous journey from

Sahara : Chad opens consulate general in Dakhla

Morocco Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and his Chadian counterpart Abderrahmane Ghoulamallah, Spokesperson for the Government of the Republic of Chad, inaugurated today in Dakhla the Consulate General of the Republic of Chad. ??-??| أشرف السيد ناصر بوريطة ووزير الدولة وزير الشؤون الخارجية والتكامل الإفريقي والتعاون الدولي والتشاديين في الخارج، الناطق الرسمي باسم

Noussair Mazraoui officially joins Manchester United

The transfer is official: Noussair Mazraoui has completed his move to English football giants Manchester United after passing a medical. The club enthusiastically welcomed the Moroccan defender, expressing their delight at his arrival. Mazraoui shared his excitement about joining the Red Devils, stating his eagerness to don the iconic red shirt at Old Trafford. The player emphasized his ambition to win trophies with the club and expressed his determination to achieve this goal. The left-back

Algeria involves Polisario in UN debate on Africa's role

At the initiative of the Sierra Leonean presidency, the UN Security Council hosted a debate last night in New York titled «Righting the historic wrong and strengthening Africa's effective representation on the United Nations Security Council». Algeria, a non-permanent Security Council member, used the opportunity to advocate for the Polisario Front, according to Algerian state media. In his speech, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lounès Magramane,

Morocco football federation & OCP launch fund to nurture future stars

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation Association (FRMF) and state-owned phosphate rock miner OCP have signed a partnership agreement to create a special fund to finance and develop training programs for emerging football talents, according to a statement by the football body. The agreement was also signed by private sector partners, including the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), the same statement issued Tuesday added. This partnership aligns with royal directives to «support

Moroccan film «Quitte ou Double» wins grand prize at Cuban Film Festival

Rachida Saadi's Moroccan film, «Quitte ou Double», has clinched the Grand Prize at the International Film Festival in Guevara, eastern Cuba. Starring Farah El Fassi, the film follows a young woman on a perilous journey that puts her and those around her in danger. The movie delves into the multifaceted issue of addiction, exploring its devastating impact on individuals, society, and the economy. The movie triumphed at the festival ahead of its Moroccan cinematic release later this

Morocco to be first African guest of honor at Denkmal Trade Fair in Germany

Morocco will be the first African country to be invited as the guest of honor at the Denkmal trade fair, taking place from November 7 to 9, 2024, in Leipzig, Germany. This European trade fair, focused on monument conservation, restoration, and the rehabilitation of old buildings, will emphasize the theme of climate change and sustainability for this edition, according to German media. Zouhair Bennani, Deputy Secretary General of ICOMOS Morocco, stated, «The idea was born to present at

Beach volleyball : Morocco Women's national team qualifies for World Cup-2024 in China

The women's national beach volleyball team (U19) has qualified for the World Cup, scheduled for August 27 to September 1, 2024 in China’s Shangluo. The national team, made up of Aida Lamzouk and Imane Fakhr, qualified for the Chinese World Cup after winning the silver medal at the African Beach Volleyball Championship, which took place in the Moroccan town of Martil, said the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation (FRMVB) in a statement. The men's national U20 volleyball team booked its

Palestinian PM thanks King Mohammed VI for support on Palestinian cause

On Monday in Ramallah, the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, expressed his thanks and gratitude to Morocco and King Mohammed VI for their «sustained efforts on behalf of the Palestinian cause». During a meeting in the Holy City with Ismail Ramli, coordinator of programs and projects at the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Acharif Agency, the Palestinian official emphasized the «importance of the Agency's presence» and offered «full support for its

PJD MPs demand inquiry into Morocco's Olympic performance

A group of PJD MPs is calling for an urgent meeting of the Culture, Education, and Communication Commission to investigate what they deem a disappointing performance by Moroccan athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In a letter addressed to the commission's chairman on Monday, August 12, the MPs demanded the attendance of Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, and Faïçal Laraichi, President of the Moroccan Olympic Committee since June 14, 2017. The

Calls for the release of lawyer Mohamed Ziane

A number of political figures and associations have launched an appeal for the release of lawyer Mohamed Ziane «before it's too late». Journalists Omar Radi, Taoufik Bouachrine, and Souleimane Raissouni, who were recently released from prison following a royal pardon on Throne Day, are among the signatories of the petition in favor of the 81-year-old former President of the Bar. This initiative was launched following a solidarity visit to Ziane's home on August 10 by a group of