First Independent Mena Newspaper
Moroccan conglomerate Holmarcom is set to deepen the shift toward local ownership in the kingdom’s banking sector with its planned acquisition of BMCI from France’s BNP Paribas, in a deal that underscores the exit of the last French bank from Morocco’s retail lending. After completion of regulatory requirements, Holmarcom plans to merge BMCI with Crédit […]
Armed men loyal to a JNIM terrorist group targeted a convoy of Moroccan trucks carrying food supplies to Bamako near the Mauritania–Mali border, underscoring mounting insecurity in the Sahel and vindicating Morocco’s warning of the risks to regional stability posed by the coalition between terrorist and separatist groups in the region. The attack occurred along […]
Morocco is marking the 23rd birthday of Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan this Friday, May 8, with celebrations across the kingdom reflecting the deep and abiding attachment of Moroccans to the Throne and to King Mohammed VI as Commander of the Faithful. Born at the Royal Palace in Rabat on 8 May 2003, the Crown […]
United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised Morocco as America’s foremost partner on the African continent, and describing the kingdom’s engagement with the African Lion 2026 military exercises as exceptional and enduring. There is no better host for the continent’s largest multinational military exercise, he said. Speaking by video link during a ceremony held […]
A fleet of cargo aircraft linked to the Russian military conducted more than 160 flights to Algeria over the past year, likely delivering advanced fighter jets and reinforcing the North African country’s role as a logistics hub for Moscow’s operations in Africa, according to an investigation cited by Defense News. The probe, also cited by […]
Zambia reiterated on Thursday its firm and steadfast support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and Moroccanness of the Sahara. It also welcomed the historic adoption on October 31, 2025, by the UN Security Council of Resolution 2797, which enshrines, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan as the only serious, credible, and lasting […]
Duke Buchan III attended the first Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) activity held in Dakhla as part of the African Lion military exercise, highlighting deepening U.S.-Morocco defense ties and their impact on local communities. The humanitarian initiative is a core component of African Lion, reflecting joint efforts by the United States and Morocco to enhance their […]
The Government of National Unity in Libya has ordered an urgent investigation after Spanish authorities intercepted a vessel carrying a cocaine shipment allegedly destined for a Libyan Port. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah directed relevant state institutions to investigate the incident and coordinate with authorities in Spain. According to an official letter issued by the […]
A court in Tunisia has sentenced former Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri to 20 years in prison in a case involving the alleged facilitation of passports and citizenship documents for foreign nationals linked to terrorism cases. Tunisia’s State news agency reported on Wednesday that the ruling was issued by the criminal Chamber specializing in terrorism cases […]
U.S. Mission to the United Nations has condemned the recent rocket attacks launched by the Algeria-backed Polisario militias against the Moroccan Sahara city of Smara, saying “such violence threatens regional stability and the progress made towards peace”. “These actions are inconsistent with the spirit of the recent talks,” said the U.S. diplomatic mission in a […]