First Independent Mena Newspaper
In a landmark trade policy shift, China has announced the complete removal of customs duties on imports from 53 African countries, including Morocco. The zero-tariff regime, set to take effect on May 1,2026, aims to deepen economic cooperation and open one of the world’s largest consumer markets to African exporters. The announcement was made by […]
Italy announced a plan to allow African countries to suspend debt repayments after extreme climate events, a proposal unveiled by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the second Italy–Africa Summit held on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) meeting in Addis Ababa. The initiative forms part of Italy’s broader Mattei Plan, which allocates €5.5 billion […]
Morocco delivered a strong diplomatic performance at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, reinforcing its position as a key driver of continental cooperation. Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI at the two-day gathering held February 14–15 under the theme of sustainable water and sanitation systems. The summit provided Morocco with […]
Moroccan authorities have organized a gradual return of residents evacuated from Ksar El Kébir after severe flooding recently hit the northwestern provinces of the country. The operation follows the Interior Ministry’s announcement that improved weather conditions now allow for a safe, supervised return to affected neighborhoods. Local and provincial authorities in Larache, working alongside units […]
Republican congressman Pat Harrigan has joined the U.S. lawmakers pushing for branding the Polisario, Algeria-backed armed militia, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) as Iranian proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the houthies… The support of Harrigan adds more pressure on Algeria and Polisario, sending them a strong message saying the bipartisan draft legislation, “Polisario Front Terrorist […]
Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has launched a 100-day reform strategy aimed at restructuring the ountry’s troubled health sector, describing it as the most challenging ministry inherited by his Government. The initiative, unveiled at a ceremony organised by the Health Ministry over the week-end, seeks to address what he characterised as decades of systemic decline. […]
Moroccan humanitarian activist Fawzia Mahmoudi won the top prize Sunday at the sixth edition of the Hope Makers initiative in Dubai, securing the title for Morocco for another year. Another Moroccan, Abderrahmane Raiss, founder of the “Suroor” initiative, was among the three finalists, along with Kuwaiti activist Hind Al Hajri, founder of the “Bayt Fatima”. […]
Public divisions have surfaced within Sudan’s Freedom and Change – Democratic Bloc following what were described as unauthorised consultations with international mediators in Addis Ababa. On 15 February 2026, spokesperson Juma al-Wakil stated that the coalition neither sanctioned nor participated in the meeting, stressing that no delegation had been officially mandated to represent the bloc. […]
On the eve of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency launched its annual social assistance campaign on Saturday. The Agency operates under the Al-Quds committee, which is chaired by King Mohammed VI. This year’s program provides for the distribution of 5,000 food baskets to underprivileged Palestinian families in the holy city and […]
Maroc Telecom, Morocco’s largest telecoms operator, said on Friday it made a profit attributable to shareholders of 7 billion dirhams ($760 mln) in 2025, up a 288%, as it patched a thaw with its competitor Wana that led it to pay over 6.3 billion dirhams. The operator’s customer base grew to 77 million, up 3.6%, […]