Was Algerian writer Boualem Sansal arrested over Eastern Sahara and Polisario remarks ?  (Read more...)

US official visits Morocco to discuss AI and security

The Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability, Mallory Stewart, is on a working visit to Morocco from October 21 to 24. According to a State Department statement, she will participate in the Global Conference on the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Advancing the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), sponsored by Morocco and the OPCW.   Stewart will also engage in high-level discussions with Moroccan officials to address emerging security

UN clarifies Sahara partition plan : Not a formal proposal

In response to a question about a Reuters report claiming that UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, had proposed dividing Western Sahara, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq clarified on Friday that it could not be described as a formal proposal. «I wouldn’t characterize anything as a submission of a proposal. What I would say is that the personal envoy, Mr. de Mistura, was essentially briefing the Security Council on his work on the Western Sahara file,

UN chief briefs Security Council on Moroccan initiative to boost Sahel

For the first time, the UN Secretary-General highlighted, in his annual report on the Sahara, the Royal vision «for the Atlantic coastline becoming a gateway for trade and economic integration with Africa and the Americas by facilitating access for the countries in the Sahel region to the Atlantic». Referring to the speech of King Mohammed VI, delivered on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Green March in November 2023, Guterres informed the members of the Security Council

Spain’s police arrest two alleged ISIS supporters in joint operation with Morocco

The Spanish National Police announced on Friday the arrest in northern Spain of two individuals presumed to be members of the terrorist organization Daesh, in an operation carried out in collaboration with Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). The suspects were arrested in the cities of Itsasondo (Guipúzcoa) and Avilés (Asturias) for their alleged involvement in the crimes of indoctrination, dissemination of terrorist propaganda, and incitement

US State Department dodges clarifying stance on Sahara partition proposal

On Thursday, October 17, the US Department of State spokesperson declined to comment on the Biden administration's stance on the proposed partition of Western Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario, a proposal made by Staffan de Mistura to the Security Council the previous day. «I Haven’t reviewed the action at all or discussed it with any of my colleagues, so let me take it back and get you an answer», said Matthew Miller. Despite the response, journalists continued

Ahmed Reda Chami named Moroccan ambassador to EU

Ahmed Reda Chami was appointed by King Mohammed VI on Friday as Morocco's Ambassador to the European Union (EU) in Brussels. He holds an engineering degree from the École Centrale de Paris (1985) and an MBA from the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles - UCLA (1989). In February 2016, he was appointed Morocco's Permanent Representative to the EU in Brussels. Since December 3, 2018, he has been President of the Economic, Social and

Othman El Ferdaous named Morocco's ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire

Othman El Ferdaous was appointed by King Mohammed VI on Friday as Morocco's new ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire. The diplomat served as Minister of Culture from 2020 to 2022. He also served as Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade, and the Digital Economy, in charge of investment, from 2017 to 2019. Born on January 13, 1979, Othman El Ferdaous was a consultant auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Paris from 2003 to 2006. From 2008 to 2016, he was a project

Chakib Benmoussa appointed head of Morocco's HCP

On Friday, October 18, 2024, King Mohammed VI received Chakib Benmoussa at the Royal Palace in Rabat. The sovereign appointed him as the High Commissioner for Planning. Mohammed VI also received Ahmed Lahlimi Alami, the former High Commissioner for Planning, whom the sovereign decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Wissam Al Arch, as announced in a press release from the Royal Cabinet.

Moroccan FM meets IMO Secretary-General in Rabat

Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, met with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez during his working visit to Morocco. At the meeting, held in Rabat on Friday, Bourita shared Morocco's maritime vision. He emphasized the country's role as a leading maritime nation, with 3,500 km of coastline, and its commitment to pragmatic, forward-looking South-South cooperation, particularly through

Stellantis to double Morocco output, halve Italy production

Stellantis, the multinational automotive company formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, is reportedly shifting its focus to Morocco for future investments. According to La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, while Stellantis is halving production capacity at its Melfi plant in Italy and the associated component supply chain, it is simultaneously doubling production capacity at its Kenitra plant in Morocco. Italian Senator Carlo Calenda claims to have a letter sent by

Four arrested for drug trafficking while attempting to enter Ceuta

Spanish authorities arrested four individuals wanted on various drug trafficking charges during an attempt to enter Ceuta. The arrests took place last Monday following identity checks at the Tarajal crossing point. Two of the detainees are wanted by the Spanish justice system for drug trafficking. The third is subject to an arrest warrant for fraud, while the fourth is implicated in road safety offenses. All four have been remanded in custody pending trial.

Spain's Pedro Sanchez not aware of De Mistura’s Sahara partition proposal

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated on Thursday that he was not aware of the Sahara partition proposal put forward by UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. «We have no knowledge of this proposal; we need to study it, so I can't express any position», he said during a press conference. De Mistura has proposed dividing the Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario Front as a potential solution to the nearly five-decade-long conflict, according to

FAR drone strike kills five near Mijek

As the UN Security Council began its consideration of the Western Sahara issue, a Royal Armed Forces (FAR) drone aborted an operation carried out by Polisario elements near the locality of Mijek, east of the berm. In his latest report on the situation in the region, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that armed incidents «reported to MINURSO by the parties are concentrated in the northern region, near Mahbas, and the southeastern region, near Mijek». «The strike by

Egyptian discount retailer Kazyon celebrates first anniversary in Morocco

Kazyon Maroc, a subsidiary of the discount retailer Kazyon, celebrated its first anniversary in Morocco on Wednesday. Operating in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, Kazyon has a total of 1,300 stores, making it the largest player in the Arab region and Africa. In just one year, Kazyon Maroc has opened over 120 stores nationwide, from El Jadida to Tangiers. The company employs 1,000 people, primarily young professionals. Kazyon Maroc plans to open 150 more stores by 2025 while continuing to

Polisario rejects De Mistura's proposed partition of the Sahara

The Polisario Front has rejected a proposal by the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura to partition Western Sahara. De Mistura presented the proposal to the UN Security Council on October 16. In a press release, the Polisario stated that during their meeting on October 3, 2024, they categorically rejected «any proposal that deviates from the legal framework of the Western Sahara conflict». The Polisario emphasized that «Morocco's military invasion

The armies of Algeria and Mauritania sign an agreement on information exchange

General Saïd Chengriha, the head of the Algerian army, visited Mauritania from October 15 to 17. He met with President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, delivering a message from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Chengriha also held separate talks with Mauritanian Defense Minister Hanena Ould Sidi and army chief General Mokhtar Bella Chaabane. A joint communiqué was issued following these meetings. The statement highlighted the focus on strengthening bilateral military

Algeria arrests two Moroccans on espionage charges

Algerian media reported that security forces arrested individuals «acting against Algeria's interests» in Oran and Sidi Bel Abbes. Among those detained were two Moroccan workers and an Algerian university student. The three individuals were accused of working on behalf of a foreign country to harm Algeria. The Moroccan workers were remanded in custody on charges of «espionage, undermining national unity and state security» The university student was also detained on

Icelandic Airline to launch direct flights to Morocco

Starting October 17, 2024, Iceland’s Play Airlines will offer twice-weekly direct flights between Reykjavik and Marrakech. This marks the first direct air connection between Iceland and Morocco. The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) announced this initiative as part of its strategy to diversify markets and strengthen air transport. In May 2024, a Light Tour engaged with 150 Scandinavian operators. The partnership between ONMT and Play Airlines includes joint marketing efforts