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

Algerian YouTuber sentenced by Morocco court for encouraging migration to Ceuta

The Court of First Instance in Tetouan sentenced an Algerian YouTuber on Wednesday, October 23, to eight months in prison and a 500-dirham fine for inciting irregular migration from Fnideq to Ceuta. According to media sources, the woman was arrested by the Royal Gendarmerie in the company of two young Moroccan women. The arrest followed an interview she gave to a local media outlet in which she encouraged irregular migration, back in September when hundreds of young Moroccans flocked to

Algerian Minister blames Morocco for «transboundary water damage»

The Algerian Minister of Hydraulics, Taha Darbal, has accused Morocco of harming «transboundary surface waters in western Algeria, causing significant environmental damage». Speaking at the tenth meeting of the parties to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes in Ljubljana, Slovenia, he asserted that the western and southwestern regions of Algeria are suffering from «the consequences of the neighboring state's actions on

CAF Awards 2024 to be held in Marrakech for second consecutive year

The city of Marrakech will host the «CAF Awards24» ceremony on December 16, 2024, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday. For the second consecutive year, the ochre city will host this prestigious event, CAF noted in a statement, recalling that the previous edition attracted numerous celebrities and was a resounding success. At last year’s event, Nigerian Victor Osimhen was named «African Player of the Year» in the men's category, while

Ghizlane Benjelloun, 2024 UN Personality for children's mental health in Morocco

The United Nations Development System in Morocco announced on Thursday in Rabat the designation of Ghizlane Benjelloun as the 2024 UN Personality in Morocco, in honor of United Nations Day. This recognition highlights her longstanding dedication to children's mental health and advocacy for their rights, according to a press release from United Nations Morocco. «All UN agencies based in the Kingdom of Morocco recognize, through this award, the passionate commitment of a woman to the

IFC invests MAD 363 million in Moroccan logistics firm BLS

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced on Wednesday, October 23, an investment in Building Logistics Services S.A. (BLS), a logistics operator in Morocco. In a statement released on the same day, IFC said that this investment will support the company’s growth strategy, create jobs, and deepen Morocco’s role as a regional logistics and trade hub. The investment, valued at MAD 363 million, will help finance the company’s expansion plans, creating 500 new jobs by

Morocco climbs to 13th in FIFA World Ranking

Morocco has moved up one place to claim the 13th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking, released on Thursday. With 1681.57 points, the Atlas Lions continue to hold the top position in Africa, ahead of Senegal, which ranks 20th with 1627.13 points. Morocco also maintains its first-place position at the Arab level, surpassing Egypt, which is ranked 30th with 1526.25 points. Globally, Argentina remains at the top of the FIFA ranking, followed by France and Spain. Top 10 FIFA Ranking as of

Royal Air Maroc expects to reach 7.5 million passengers by end of 2024

The report on public institutions and enterprises, published alongside the 2025 draft finance law, reveals that Royal Air Maroc is expected to close 2024 with 7.5 million passengers. According to the report, available on the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s website, the airline anticipates a turnover of 19.86 billion dirhams for 2024, reflecting a 4.5% increase in air traffic compared to 2023, with passenger numbers projected to reach 7.5 million. The report also noted that in the

Green energy : US company under pressure to leave the Sahara

«US company GE Vernova is seemingly gambling with its lucrative projects elsewhere when it operates in the occupied territory for the Moroccan government». This is the accusation leveled by the Western Sahara Resource Watch (WRSW), an NGO closely aligned with the Polisario Front, against the General Electric subsidiary. The accusation came immediately after Africa Intelligence published an article detailing the standoff between the two parties. This is the latest in a series of

Moroccan-French archaeological mission wins Inrap award

A Moroccan-French archaeological mission has been awarded the «Inrap - RAN Prize for the Preservation by Study of Mediterranean Archaeological Heritage» on October 19 in Narbonne, France. The award recognizes their work on medieval Almohad sites in Morocco, including Igiliz, Tit, and Tinmal. According to a press release from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), the award was presented to the scientific and technical leaders of the mission during

Antonio Guterres welcomes Morocco's compliance with the ceasefire

In his report on the situation in the Sahara, the UN Secretary-General welcomed the Royal Armed Forces' (FAR) compliance with the ceasefire signed in 1991. Guterres noted that in February 2024, the Special Representative and Force Commander of MINURSO proposed a cessation of hostilities during the holy month of Ramadan, emphasizing that «the FAR responded on February 26 by reiterating their commitment to the agreements reached» in 1991, «but stressed their right to respond to

Three Moroccans compete at FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia

Morocco is taking part in the FIA Motorsport Games, a biennial motorsport event administered by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The competition is taking place from October 23 to 27 in Valencia, Spain, reads a press release by the Royal Moroccan Motor Sports Federation. The games will see the participation of nearly 100 countries for its 3rd edition. Competitors will compete in 26 disciplines, including karting, rallying, cross-country, drifting, slalom, and

South Africa opposes Moroccan membership of BRICS group

As the new BRICS summit kicked off yesterday in Kazan, Russia, South Africa is actively opposing Morocco's bid to join the group. South African officials have been vocal about their plans in the international press. In comments to the U.S. news agency Bloomberg, they stated that «any attempt to dilute South Africa’s influence by inviting Nigeria or Morocco into BRICS will be met with resistance». Russian media have also reported Pretoria's warnings to its allies, with

Morocco's Water and Forests agency boosts anti-poaching measures to safeguard wildlife

The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) has intensified its efforts to combat poaching throughout Morocco, as stated in an official press release dated October 22, 2024. Between September 20 and October 20, 2024, ANEF recorded 52 reports covering 70 hunting and wildlife-related offenses in provinces such as Essaouira, Taroudante, Nador, and Larache. According to the ANEF Director General, fighting poaching is an absolute priority for the agency this season. The press release

Morocco introduces first diploma for football injuries and illnesses

The Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS), through its Health and Sport Pole, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) have launched the first University Diploma in football-related injuries and illnesses in Morocco. The first module started on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, and will run over three days, reads a press release by the Foundation. Headed by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health, the diploma aims to train specialized health professionals capable of

Morocco's railways office ONCF plans to invest nearly 9.8 billion dirhams between 2025 and 2027

The Moroccan National Railways Office (ONCF) has announced a 9.78 billion dirhams investment program for 2025-2027, according to the Public Establishments and Enterprises (EEP) report in the draft finance law. The funds will primarily be directed toward acquiring new trains, building maintenance facilities, and maintaining rail infrastructure, with annual allocations of 2.97 billion dirhams in 2025, 3.64 billion dirhams in 2026, and 3.17 billion dirhams in 2027. Notably, this plan excludes a

Nokia launches first innovation center in Africa and the Middle East in Salé

Ghita Mezzour, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, inaugurated Nokia's first innovation center in Africa and the Middle East in Salé on Tuesday. The event was attended by the Finnish Ambassador to Morocco, Marjaana Sall, and the US Ambassador, Puneet Talwar, along with other public and private sector representatives. According to a press release from the Ministry, this innovation center features cutting-edge technology,

Ahmed Lahlimi passes the torch to Chakib Benmoussa at HCP

The handover ceremony between Chakib Benmoussa, newly appointed as the High Commissioner for Planning by King Mohammed VI, and his predecessor Ahmed Lahlimi Alami took place in Rabat on Tuesday, in the presence of senior management from the High Commission for Planning (HCP). Benmoussa expressed his gratitude for the trust the Sovereign placed in him and acknowledged the significant responsibilities that come with the role. He commended Ahmed Lahlimi for his leadership, particularly in

French citizen arrested in Casablanca for international drug smuggling allegations

A French citizen of Guinean origin, who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by the French judiciary, has been arrested by security authorities at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca. #التعاون_الأمني_الدوليالدار البيضاء.. توقيف مواطن فرنسي من أصول غينية، مبحوث عنه بموجب أمر دولي بإلقاء القبض صادر في حقه من طرف السلطات القضائية الفرنسية،