News Flash

Emmerson launches arbitration against Morocco over potash dispute

Morocco faces international arbitration as the British mining company Emmerson PLC escalates its dispute over the Khemisset potash project. The company announced on December 6, 2024, its intention to file a case with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) following a setback related to the environmental assessment. According to the company's official statement, the dispute emerged after Morocco's Regional Unified Investment Commission (CRUI) rejected the

Syrian opposition arrests Polisario fighters

Polisario fighters are reportedly in the hands of Syrian opposition forces. «Around thirty Front militiamen were arrested four days ago in Aleppo», a security source told Yabiladi, confirming information previously disclosed by a former Iraqi MP. «After completing special training under the guidance of Iranian military advisors in the Tindouf camps, they entered Syria a few months ago using Algerian passports», the same source said. «Their mission was to confront

Pope in Corsica : Moroccan benefactors donate €10,000

«The Moroccan Benefactors of Corsica» have demonstrated remarkable generosity by raising €10,000 to support the Diocese of Corsica in organizing the papal visit scheduled for Ajaccio on December 15. This gesture, described as «a testimony of love and fraternity towards all the inhabitants of Corsica», highlights the association's commitment to the island community. The president of the association, Miloud Mesghati, explained that the initiative aimed to

Sahara : Ramaphosa ignores protesters from his own party

President Cyril Ramaphosa remained silent on Friday, December 6, in Algiers, regarding the protest by members of his party urging him to reconsider his policy on the Sahara issue. In his speech before Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, he simply reaffirmed his longstanding support for the Polisario's positions. «South Africa remains concerned about the continued occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco. The people of Western Sahara have the right to determine their own

Algeria delays repatriation of Ittihad Tanger player's remains

The body of Moroccan footballer Abdellatif Akhrif, discovered on a beach in Oran, Algeria, has yet to be repatriated, five months after his disappearance at sea. According to well-informed sources, the delay stems from the complexities of administrative procedures between Morocco and Algeria. The former footballer of Ittihad Tanger was reported missing in early July 2024, before his body was discovered on August 8 on the Algerian coast. On August 14, the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie took DNA

Casablanca launches urgent plan to save Bouskoura forest

The true green lung of Casablanca, the urban forest of Bouskoura, plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of life for residents and maintaining the region's ecological balance. It is also a vital space for relaxation and leisure. However, this emblematic forest, spanning over 3,000 hectares, is suffering from the cumulative effects of drought. The eucalyptus and pines that make up the forest are weakened, leaving them vulnerable to insects and diseases, which has recently caused a

Northern Irish tourist in critical condition after Moroccan accident

A 36-year-old woman from Bangor, Co Down, is currently in critical condition following a serious accident in Marrakech, Morocco. The incident occurred on November 28th, leaving her with severe lung trauma and multiple spinal fractures. According to The Irish News, medical assessment of Emma Eakin continues to be challenging due to language barriers, with initial scans focused on her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Despite having travel insurance, policy limitations have created significant

Egypt enters race for AU Commission Deputy Chair against Morocco and Algeria

Egypt has joined Morocco and Algeria in a diplomatic race within the African Union (AU) to secure the position of Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, a role that will be assigned to North Africa. On Wednesday, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Egypt to the African Union in Addis Ababa organized a «major event» attended by members of diplomatic missions accredited to the AU, the AU Commission, and African think tanks and research centers to promote Hanan Morsy's

Morocco and Mauritania deepen diplomatic and parliamentary ties

Diplomatic ties between Morocco and Mauritania continue to deepen, as demonstrated by Friday's meeting between Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and the President of Mauritania's National Assembly, Mohamed Ould Meguett. The visit comes in a context shaped by King Mohammed VI's recent call, during the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative year, to bolster parliamentary diplomacy in defending the Kingdom's strategic interests, particularly the Moroccan identity

Five Israelis die in a car accident in Morocco

Five Israelis were reportedly killed in a car accident in Morocco. Israeli media reported on Friday that the fatal crash happened near the city of Ouarzazate. ZAKA, Disaster Victim Identification, a voluntary post-disaster response team in Israel, told Israeli media that on Friday morning it had received a report that a car carrying five Israelis had overturned after the driver lost control. The five victims are from Safed, a city in the Northern District of Israel. The mayor of the city

Mahia, Morocco's traditional spirit, makes its way to UK market

A new version of Morocco's traditional fig-based spirit, Mahia, is entering the UK market under the brand name Sahara. The spirit, whose name translates to «water of life» in Moroccan Arabic, is traditionally made from figs or dates and infused with aniseed. According to The Drinks Business, the initiative is led by Omar Oualili, who aims to revive this historically significant beverage. The spirit was traditionally associated with Morocco's Jewish communities but saw declining

Chinese automaker BAIC set to enter Moroccan market in 2025

BAIC vehicles are about to make their entrance into the Moroccan market. Comicom, a key player in the distribution of tractors and agricultural equipment throughout the Kingdom, as well as the exclusive importer of Mahindra vehicles, is embarking on the importation of the Chinese automobile brand BAIC. Comicom, with over 120 years of expertise, has signed an exclusive import and distribution contract with BAIC for the Moroccan market. This initiative allows Comicom to expand its offerings and

Morocco's tourism office partners with Norwegian to connect Tangier to Copenhagen

Good news for Moroccan tourism is coming from Norway. The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) has announced a partnership with the airline Norwegian. This collaboration will allow, starting in May 2025, the launch of a direct air route between Tangier and Copenhagen. This development marks a first for Tangier, which will benefit from a direct connection with a strategic Scandinavian airport. This initiative plans for a weekly flight during the first season, thus connecting

Algeria challenges Morocco for influence in Central American Parliament

After obtaining observer member status with PARLATINO (Latin American and Caribbean Parliament) in September, Algeria has now set its sights on PARLACEN (Central American Parliament). This is evidenced by the memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday, December 4, in Panama City between the Algerian Chamber of Deputies and PARLACEN, a body that brings together El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. «This agreement represents an important

Morocco secures €344.7m in financing from AfDB

On Thursday in Rabat, Morocco and the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed three financing agreements totaling €344.7 million (over MAD 3.6 billion). The funds are aimed at supporting programs to strengthen economic governance, enhance resilience to climate change, optimize drinking water production, and develop the industrial zone at the Nador West Med port. The first agreement, worth €120 million, was signed by Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah and AfDB President Akinwumi

AfDB announces €650 million support for Morocco's 2030 World Cup preparations

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a €650 million (approximately 7 billion dirhams) financing package to support Morocco's preparations for the 2030 World Cup, announced the Bank's President, Akinwumi Adesina, in Rabat on Thursday. «To assist Morocco's preparations for the 2030 World Cup, the AfDB will soon submit for approval a €650 million financing project focused on developing rail and airport infrastructure, thereby boosting Morocco's competitiveness»,

Morocco and Belgium forge security partnership with joint action plan

The Director General of National Security (DGSN) and Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Abdellatif Hammouchi, made a working visit to Belgium on Thursday. This trip aimed to strengthen the mechanisms of joint cooperation in various areas related to security and intelligence work, according to a statement from the DGSN-DGST Pole. The Director General held working sessions with the Commissioner General of the Belgian Federal Police, Eric Snoek. The discussions between the two parties focused on

Highway company ordered to compensate driver in donkey collision case

The Administrative Court of Casablanca has ruled that the National Motorway Company of Morocco must compensate an individual for damages to his car after he collided with a donkey on the highway. The incident occurred on August 29, 2022, when the driver unexpectedly encountered a donkey crossing the highway, resulting in material damage to his vehicle. In his complaint, the driver argued that the company was responsible for protecting road users and requested compensation for the