Morocco's RAM and GOL partner to enhance Africa-Latin America connectivity  (Read more...)

Morocco's BCP Group appoints Naziha Belkeziz as new CEO

Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) has named Naziha Belkeziz as its new Chief Executive Officer and Chairwoman, effective November 5, 2024. The appointment follows the retirement of Mohamed Karim Mounir, who has served the bank for nearly three decades. According to the official press release from BCP's Board of Directors in Casablanca, Belkeziz was co-opted as a board member before being named to the top position. The Board expressed confidence in her leadership, citing her professional

Fire erupts at a Casablanca office building

A fire broke out at an insurance office on the FAR avenue in Casablanca on Thursday morning. According to multiple sources, the fire caused no casualties. While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, it sparked panic among office workers. Civil protection teams responded promptly to the incident and successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Morocco invests 210 million dirhams to expand Laayoune fishing port

Work began Tuesday on expanding the Laayoune fishing port, with a total investment of 210 million dirhams. Launched to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the Green March, this project aligns with the 2030 port master plan and aims to foster regional socio-economic development by increasing berthing capacity and supporting coastal and artisanal fishing activities. The extension involves demolishing existing guano berths, constructing a new 350-meter-long, five-meter-deep fishing dock, a

Algeria imposes trade curbs on France over Sahara recognition

In the first half of 2024, trade between Algeria and France saw a slight dip after three years of steady growth. According to Le Figaro, the Algerian Association of Banks and Financial Institutions, a public entity that acts on behalf of the government to oversee trade, gathered local banks on Monday, November 4, to communicate a new directive: Import and export transactions with France are to be halted in response to France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. The

Moroccan national extradited to France on suspicion of rape and murder of French girl

Taha Oualidat, arrested last September in Switzerland, was extradited to France on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of 19-year-old Philippine. The undocumented Moroccan national was detained at the Annemasse border and taken to Paris to appear before an examining magistrate, according to sources cited by BFMTV. His extradition reportedly proceeded without incident. The 22-year-old had initially resisted, but later consented to a simplified extradition process after

King Mohammed VI congratulates Donald Trump on his re-election

King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to Donald J. Trump following his election as President of the United States for a second term. In his message, the Sovereign expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes for Trump's success in his presidential duties and his continued efforts to serve the American people. The King emphasized that Trump's resounding success in the elections is a testament to his patriotism and his dedication to upholding the best interests of the

Morocco crowned «most welcoming destination» at WTM London

On Tuesday evening, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) was awarded the «Most Welcoming Destination» prize at the Arab Travel Awards, held alongside the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 5 to 7. This recognition underscores Morocco's commitment to hospitality, enhancing its appeal and strengthening its position as a leading tourist destination in the UK market. At the 2024 WTM, the ONMT showcased Morocco's offerings with an expansive 800 m² pavilion,

Moroccan football coach Rachid Taoussi to defend doctoral dissertation on leadership

On November 18, 2024, Moroccan football manager Rachid Taoussi will defend his doctoral dissertation in Business Administration at Éklore-Ed School of Management in France. His dissertation is titled «Characteristics of the Ideal Leader-Coach: A Contextual Analysis Based on Storytelling Methodology». Since last September, Taoussi has been coaching Tanzania's Azam FC and is currently performing well with the team. Previously, he coached several Moroccan clubs and led the

Amid genocide in Gaza, Moroccan journalists visit Israel

At the invitation of the Israeli government, a group of Moroccan journalists is visiting Israel from November 4 to 9, with the trip organized by the Israeli liaison office in Rabat. The visit comes as the Israeli army extends its military operations from Gaza to Lebanon. So far, there has been no official statement from Tel Aviv regarding the visit. The Israeli army’s spokesperson for Arab media, Avichay Adraee, has also remained silent about his «meeting» with the Moroccan

FAR drone strike kills armed Polisario members east of sand wall

On Tuesday, November 5, a Royal Armed Forces (FAR) drone struck four Polisario vehicles in the locality of Gleibat El Foula, east of the Moroccan defensive wall known as the Mur des Sables. «Once again, the militiamen used vehicles with Mauritanian license plates and wore civilian clothing to evade FAR detection», a Moroccan source told Yabiladi. The preliminary toll from the airstrike is reported as two dead and three wounded. In audio messages, Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps

CAF approves RS Berkane's jersey with full map of Morocco, sparking anger in Algeria

The Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Competitions Committee has approved Renaissance Sportive de Berkane's jersey, which features a map of Morocco, including the Sahara. This decision has drawn condemnation from the Algerian sports press, with some outlets labeling it a «CAF scandal» and a «blow» to Algeria. The Algerian reaction stems from a previous incident in August 2023, when RS Berkane was denied permission to wear their traditional jersey with the full

Dutch-Moroccan ex-anti-terrorism official denies «spying for Morocco», seeks PM's testimony

Moroccan-Dutch Abderrahim El M., a former employee of the Dutch National Coordinator for Terrorism and Security (NCTV), is currently on trial in the Netherlands, accused of espionage for the Moroccan secret service. He has pleaded not guilty. El M., who remained silent during interrogations by the Dutch Criminal Investigation Department, stated he was willing to provide a statement to the judge «behind closed doors», as reported by Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant on Monday. The

IFC loans €197 million to expand Morocco's Tanger Med Port Complex

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) announced on Monday a partnership with Morocco’s Tanger Med Port Complex. This partnership aims to expand the truck and passenger terminal of the Moroccan Strategic Hub, IFC said in a statement. IFC’s deal with Tanger Med Port includes a loan of €197 million (including €47 million provided under IFC’s Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program). This

Educational astronomy project to tour Morocco in November

A new educational initiative called «Les Étoiles du Petit Prince» (The Little Prince's Stars) will tour Morocco from November 7-17, 2024, bringing astronomy education to primary and secondary schools in the country's southern and eastern regions. According to a press release from the Center for Space and Habitability at the University of Bern and Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech, the project will utilize two light aircraft—a Cessna 172 RG and a Beechcraft

Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz ready to write history with Morocco

Real Madrid's Moroccan star Brahim Diaz said, «I dream of writing history with the national team and bringing joy to Moroccan fans». «I'm very proud to wear Morocco's national team jersey. I'm grateful to Morocco and the entire African continent for all the love and warm welcome I've received», Brahim Diaz told MAP in an exclusive interview at the Valdebebas training center in Madrid. The former AC Milan player expressed pride in playing for the Moroccan national team,

Morocco's Royal Navy foils migrant hijacking attempt off Tan-Tan

Two Royal Navy units, with a Commandos team on board, freed the crew of a Liberia-flagged freighter 110 km off Tan-Tan on Monday without incident. «On November 4, 2024, Rabat’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received an alert reporting that the crew of a Liberia-flagged cargo ship, 110 km off Tan-Tan, had been threatened by would-be migrants who planned to divert it to the Canary Islands», the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces said in a press release. Two

Moroccan caftan shines at UNESCO’s first Arab Week in Paris

The Moroccan caftan, in all its splendor, dazzled Paris on Monday evening at a unique fashion show organized as part of the first Arab Week at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Hind Lamtiri’s chic and sophisticated collection captivated an international audience, who were left in awe of the Moroccan designer’s undeniable talent. Her creations continue to enchant enthusiasts of traditional elegance, reimagined with

New head with Moroccan roots appointed to lead Israeli liaison office in Morocco

The Israeli liaison office in Morocco has a new head. «Without any public announcement, politician Yossi Ben David, of Moroccan Jewish origin, has taken charge of Israel's diplomatic representation in Rabat», reports Africa Intelligence. «He succeeds diplomat David Govrin, who quickly left with his team following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023», the source notes. Ben David, a 55-year-old member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, has a