Wealthy Moroccan heirs detained for alleged rape of French lawyer  (Read more...)

Morocco's Sofiane Boufal joins Union Saint-Gilloise on two-year deal

Moroccan international Sofiane Boufal has joined Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) on a two-year deal from Qatari club Al-Rayyan, USG announced on Tuesday. «Boufal is now a Unionist until 2026», the Brussels-based pro league club wrote on its website. The player, who made his international debut for Morocco in 2016, «played seven matches at the 2022 World Cup during the Moroccan national team's impressive run in Qatar, where Morocco advanced to the semi-finals»,

Morocco's Saida Amoudi wins bronze in shot put at Paris Paralympics

Morocco's Saida Amoudi won the bronze medal in the shot put (F34) on Tuesday during the para-athletics competitions at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Amoudi secured her spot on the podium with a throw of 7.80 meters. The gold medal went to China's Zou Lijuan (9.14 meters), the current record holder with a throw of 9.25 meters, while the silver medal was claimed by Poland's Lucyna Kornobys (8.33 meters). This achievement brings Morocco's total medal count at the Paris Paralympic Games to six

After Indonesia, the Polisario excluded from the China-Africa Forum

Beijing has excluded the Polisario Front from the China-Africa summit, which opened on Tuesday, September 3, with a meeting of foreign ministers. In August, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met with the Chinese ambassador in Algiers to advocate for the Polisario's inclusion in the China-Africa summit. An Algerian media outlet subsequently claimed that the Polisario's presence at the China-Africa summit was a «de facto necessity». Beijing has consistently rejected Algerian

Morocco's National Human Rights Council approves DNA tests for Tazmamart victims

The Association «Victims of Tazmamart and Their Friends» announced that the National Council for Human Rights has contacted some families of the victims to conduct DNA tests on the remains of those who died unjustly in Tazmamart prison. While acknowledging the significant delay, the association commended the National Council for Human Rights for finally responding to their request. In a statement, the association expressed appreciation for the response but emphasized that it was

Inwi partners with Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali

Moroccan telecommunications company Inwi has announced a partnership with Soufiane El Bakkali, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion. The partnership aims to celebrate El Bakkali's extraordinary achievements and inspire young people to push their limits and believe in their potential, Inwi said Tuesday in a statement. Inwi stated that the partnership with El Bakkali embodies its desire to promote successful role models who can inspire young Moroccans to achieve their

Heavy thunderstorms expected in Morocco Tuesday

The Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM) has issued an orange alert warning of thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds in several Moroccan provinces on Tuesday. The affected provinces include Midelt, Ifrane, Béni Mellal, Al Haouz, Tinghir, Azilal, Khénifra, and Boulemane. Thunderstorms are expected to bring 15-25 millimeters of rainfall between 2 PM and 11 PM on Tuesday.

Polisario leader Brahim Ghali accused of fuel diversion

A Sahrawi media outlet critical of the Polisario leadership, while also antagonistic towards Morocco, has publicly accused Brahim Ghali of leading a network that steals Algerian-supplied fuel for military regions. According to Futuro Sahara, Ghali has delegated the management of this alleged fuel diversion operation to a family member. The outlet claims that the Polisario has been supplying fuel to MINURSO teams in the «liberated zones» east of the Moroccan-built sand wall, as

Morocco's 15 large dam projects : Construction updates

The Ministry of Equipment and Water is expediting the construction of 15 large dams, totaling a capacity of 4.778 billion cubic meters, in Morocco. Upon completion, these dams will significantly enhance potable water supply across the Kingdom, support agricultural irrigation, generate hydroelectric power, and replenish groundwater resources. The following is the progress on these dam projects: Ghiss Dam in Al-Hoceima province, where work has progressed by about 99%. It has a storage capacity

Morocco FM attends ministerial meeting of China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing

Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Resident Abroad, participated in the ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing on Tuesday. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Forum, which has become a strategic partnership between China and the African continent, grounded in the core principles of solidarity, cooperation, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The meeting was co-chaired

Moroccan Justice Minister vows crackdown on online excesses

Abdellatif Ouahbi, the Moroccan Minister of Justice, has vowed to take a firm stance against the defamation and privacy violations rampant on social media platforms. In a recent interview with 2M, Ouahbi stated, «We will introduce specific articles in the penal code to impose strict penalties, including imprisonment, for these harmful acts. The unchecked behavior on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, such as filming people's private lives without their consent, will no longer be

Ichem Zaher becomes first Moroccan to complete Enduroman

Ichem Zaher made history this weekend as the first Moroccan to finish the Enduroman, an extreme triathlon that covers approximately 360 kilometers over three days. Nicknamed the «Arch to Arc», the event, beginning at Marble Arch in London and finishing at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, combines running, open-water swimming and cycling, making it one of the toughest endurance events in the world. The Moroccan Enduroman puts his sporting prowess to work for a noble cause: raising

Two female farm workers killed in bus crash near Tiznit

Two female farm workers were killed in a road accident on Monday morning on National Road n°1 between Tiznit and Agadir. The tragedy occurred following a collision between two buses transporting farm workers, due to fog. One bus was stationary, while the other was approaching from Tiznit. According to sources quoted by 2m.ma, the accident occurred near the douar Aït Salah, in the rural commune of Belfaa, province of Chtouka-Aït Baha. Nine other injured passengers were transferred

Algerian Islamist candidate outlines conditions for renewing Morocco ties

Abdelaali Hassani Cherif, the candidate of the Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), who has been authorized to participate in Algeria's September 7 presidential elections, has outlined his conditions for a potential resumption of diplomatic relations with Morocco, which have been severed since August 2021. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Cherif stated, «I believe that the decision to normalize relations with the Zionist entity is the direct cause of the tensions between Algeria and

Polisario : Bachir Sayed prepares his candidacy to succeed Brahim Ghali

Bachir Mustapha Sayed has made clear his intention to succeed Brahim Ghali as the leader of the Polisario. He has resigned from his position as an advisor to the current head of the Front, according to former members of the Polisario and sources close to the matter, who spoke to Yabiladi. This development stirred debates over the weekend in WhatsApp groups within both the Tindouf camps and major cities in the Sahara. Reactions were mixed, ranging from enthusiasm to rejection and suspicion.

Drought threatens crucial stopover site for Montagu's harriers in Morocco

According to a report published by Nature Today, conservation efforts for the Montagu's harrier (Bird of prey) are extending beyond national borders. Across Europe, conservationists are working to protect this species, particularly by safeguarding nests in agricultural fields. However, the survival of this critically endangered bird in many countries depends on more than just breeding success. North Africa, for instance, serves as a key stopover region for harriers migrating to and from their

The Polisario excluded from the Indonesia-Africa Forum

The Indonesian government did not invite the Polisario to the 2nd edition of the Indonesia-Africa Forum, to held in Bali on September 2 and 3. An exclusion that went unnoticed in Algiers and in the Tindouf camps. Nevertheless, the President of the Council of the Nation (Algeria's upper house), in a speech read on his behalf yesterday at the first edition of the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum, also held in Bali, defended the Polisario's positions. «We cannot ignore the continuation

Finn Partners joins forces with Morocco's Tourism Office to attract Chinese tourists

Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) has partnered with marketing services company Finn Partners to attract Chinese tourists. This partnership will help Morocco draw a greater number of Chinese tourists, enhancing its presence in the Asian market. Finn Partners will assist ONMT in its public relations strategies, influencer campaigns, social media engagement, events, and brand collaborations. Finn Partners will also work on highlighting Morocco as a «captivating destination»

Thunderstorms and hail expected Monday in Morocco

Thundershowers accompanied by hail and gusty winds are expected this Monday in several provinces of the Kingdom, announced the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGM). Thundershowers (10-25 mm) are expected this Monday from 3 pm to 9 pm in the provinces of Azilal, Tinghir, Al Haouz, and Ouarzazate, the DGM said in an «orange» alert bulletin.