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

EU border crossings down 42% in first nine months of 2024, Morocco routes remain high

The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union dropped by 42% in the first nine months of 2024, according to data released on October 15 by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex. The agency estimated that 166,000 irregular entries occurred during that period. Significant declines were seen on the Western Balkan and Central Mediterranean routes, with decreases of 79% and 64%, respectively, Frontex reported. However, while some routes experienced drops in

Morocco to double green energy in Sahara for 2030 World Cup

Morocco is set to double its green electricity production in the southern provinces by 2027 as part of its efforts to meet the growing energy demand ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The government plans to invest 21 billion dirhams ($2.1 billion) in building 1.4 gigawatts of new wind and solar capacity in the region, according to a source from the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Environment told Bloomberg. The decision to boost renewable energy infrastructure in the Sahara comes as

City Club owner Jonathan Harroch detained on human trafficking charges

The Casablanca Court of Appeals judge ordered Jonathan Harroch, owner of the gym franchise City Club group, to be detained at Ain Sebaa Oukacha prison early Wednesday morning. Harroch is accused of human trafficking, exploiting vulnerable women for prostitution, possessing and using hard drugs, and inciting prostitution. During a lengthy interrogation, the judge dropped a bad check charge after Harroch reached an agreement with the check owners. Harroch was arrested on Saturday with 2.5 grams

Macron's visit sparks French defense industry’s hopes for Moroccan contracts

French arms manufacturers are keen to take advantage of President Emmanuel Macron's backing for the Moroccan Sahara. As Macron prepares for his upcoming state visit to the Kingdom, they are hoping for a significant re-entry into the Moroccan market. According to La Tribune on Tuesday, October 15, «two major projects are under serious negotiation—helicopters and submarines». «Airbus Helicopters is in talks with Morocco over a substantial order for Caracals, which could

Spain proposes joint NATO meeting for Morocco and Algeria

The Spanish government wants to bring Morocco and Algeria together at the next session of NATO foreign ministers, scheduled for the end of the year. Iberian media report that Madrid has also proposed inviting Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Egypt. The Spanish initiative seeks to encourage the dialogue launched in recent years with partners outside NATO. The final declaration of the military organization's July 2024 summit in Washington, D.C., stated in Resolution 32 that

South Africa and Namibia welcome CJEU ruling on Western Sahara

On October 14 and 15, the foreign ministers of South Africa and Namibia held a new session of their political dialogue in the Namibian city of Swakopmund. In a joint statement, the two countries «welcomed the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on October 4, 2024, that the European Commission had breached the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara when 2019 it concluded trade deals with Morocco that also cover products from Western

Morocco signs MoU with Belgian counterpart to fight transnational crime

On Tuesday in Rabat, Morocco's Presidency of the Public Prosecutor's Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Belgian counterpart. This new agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in various areas, particularly in combating transnational organized crime.   The MoU was signed by Morocco's Top Prosecutor El Hassan Daki, who is also the King's Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, and Belgian Federal Prosecutor Ann Fransan. The agreement seeks to develop technical

Morocco dominates Central African Republic 4-0

The Moroccan national football team defeated the Central African Republic (4-0) in a match played on Tuesday at the Honorary Stadium in Oujda. This was for the fourth round of the Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco 2025) Group B qualifiers. Elias Ben Saghir (34th and 37th minutes), Youssef Nasiri (50th minute), and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (65th minute) scored the goals for the national team.

Chinese auto giant Dongfeng explores opportunities in Morocco

In a significant step towards strengthening Sino-Moroccan relations, a delegation from Dongfeng Automobile Corporation, a leading Chinese automotive company, visited Casablanca on October 8, 2024, for strategic discussions with Global Chinese Motors, a subsidiary of Bugshan Automotive Group. The meeting, which also included a visit to the SORIAC assembly unit in Berrechid, underscores Morocco's importance as a platform for Chinese investments in Africa. During the visit, Dongfeng explored

Sahara : De Mistura submits his report to Antonio Guterres

On the eve of his briefing to the Security Council, Staffan de Mistura has submitted a report to the UN Secretary-General detailing his latest efforts to restart negotiations between the parties involved. Tomorrow, during a closed session, the UN mediator will orally present a summary of his observations on diplomatic developments in the Sahara since the adoption of Resolution 2703 on October 30, 2023. The members of the UN executive body will also review Antonio Guterres' report on October

An Algerian ambassador forces Jordanian vlogger to delete pro-Morocco video

Jordanian YouTuber Joe Hattab recently commented on his videos documenting his trip to Algeria, made in May 2023. In one of his two videos dedicated to this visit, the vlogger discussed the Moroccan-Algerian border, as well as the cultural influence of Morocco on Western Algeria. Invited on the podcast «بدون ورق», he revealed that he had to delete the video from his platforms after receiving a call from the Algerian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. According

Forecast of heavy rains and thunderstorms across Morocco on Tuesday and Wednesday

Heavy rains, which may include localized thunderstorms, are forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday in several provinces of Morocco, as announced by the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM). These rains, expected to accumulate between 20 to 40 mm, will impact the provinces of Tangier-Assilah, Azilal, Marrakech, Al-Haouz, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Rehamna, Safi, Youssoufia, Chichaoua, Essaouira, Taroudant, and Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m. and continuing until Wednesday at 6

USA supports Morocco's earthquake recovery efforts

More than a year after a devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco's High Atlas region, the United States continues to support the country's recovery efforts. The earthquake claimed nearly 3,000 lives and affected hundreds of thousands of people. During a recent visit to the Al Haouz province, U.S. Ambassador Puneet Talwar observed how the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Morocco, is working to support

The President of the Brazilian Senate invites his country to support the Moroccan autonomy plan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, received the President of the Brazilian Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, on Monday, October 14, in Rabat. In a statement to the press following his talks with the head of diplomacy, Pacheco emphasized that «this is the right time for [Brazil] to consider the autonomy plan presented by Morocco as a realistic and pragmatic basis for a political solution in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council». Rodrigo Pacheco

Earthquake measuring 4.4 hits Azrou in Ifrane province

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck the Azrou region in the Ifrane province on Tuesday morning, October 15, 2024, at 10:01 a.m., as reported by the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN). The quake's epicenter, located at a depth of 10 km, caused stronger tremors due to its shallow depth, primarily affecting areas near the surface. Other organizations, such as the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), recorded the earthquake at 3.8 on the Richter scale, while the German

ONDA responds to severe rainstorm : Marrakech airport remains operational

Marrakech and its surrounding areas were hit by unusually heavy rainfall on Sunday, October 13, 2024. In just fifteen minutes, the city saw around 25 mm of torrential rain, leading to significant flooding in key areas, according to the National Airports Office (ONDA) on Monday. The downpour, which overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, caused some damage to pipes at Marrakech-Menara Airport, resulting in water infiltrations in various parts of the terminal, ONDA noted in a press

EU reaffirms strategic partnership with Morocco despite CJEU rulings on Sahara

The ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), issued on October 4, was a central topic during the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers held on Monday, October 14, in Luxembourg. In a press statement, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, emphasized the «immense value that the EU attaches to its strategic partnership with Morocco». He stated that the 27 EU member states

Hakim Ziyech condemns Israeli actions, expresses support for Palestinians

Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech continues to show solidarity with the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing violence and displacement in the Gaza Strip. In a new post on Monday, he refuted what he referred to as «Zionist propaganda». Ziyech, who plays professionally for Galatasaray, posted a message on his Instagram story stating, «As the Zionists say: We are the peacemakers. But in reality: They are the devils». He also included a photo in his post,