Columns Headlines Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Sahara: The Three Scenarios after Horst Köhler’s Resignation

After serving for just 25 months as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara, Horst Köhler quitted his UN job for “health reasons”. His resignation raises the possibility of three scenarios. After replacing US Christopher Ross in April 2017 as Personal Envoy of the UN SG for the Sahara, Horst Köhler, a former […]

Asia Headlines International Maghreb Morocco

Morocco, Guest of Honor in China Big Data Expo 2019

Morocco is taking part as guest of honor at China’s 5th International Big Data Industry Expo, which kicked off on Sunday, May 26, under the theme “Data creates value, innovation drives the future.” The international event to run through Wednesday, May 29, in the capital of Guizhou province, Guiyang, Southwestern China, is the first national-level […]

Headlines Libya Maghreb

Libya: Haftar chides UN envoy for taking side in the conflict

Khalifar Haftar, commander of the east-based forces opposed to the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has accused the UN envoy trying to fix the political crisis in the North African country of being “biased” in his mission. “Salame is making irresponsible statements,” Haftar told French newspaper Journal de Dimanche in an interview published […]

Business Columns Headlines Maghreb Morocco Opinions

North African phosphates, between Morocco’s headway and Algeria’s lethargy

North Africa boasts the world’s richest phosphate reserves, most of which is located in Morocco but Algerian and Tunisian soil have significant untapped potential. Algeria has long dreamt to develop phosphates-related industries through the setting up of fertilizers plants in Annaba and developing the eastern phosphate cluster in the Tebassa region. However due to multiple […]

Business Headlines Maghreb Morocco

Morocco steps up efforts to attract foreign investors

Morocco is set to create 12 special economic zones in its 12 regions offering tax incentives and other advantages to attract foreign industrial investors. The special zones are also meant to boost exports and curb imports in order to ease the country’s trade deficit. The decision was made in 2016 in a business charter that […]

Europe Headlines International Maghreb

Sahara: France regrets Horst Köhler’s resignation; renews full support to UN process

France regretted Friday the resignation of the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara Horst Köhler, who explained his decision by health reasons, and reiterated its full support to the UN process. “France has learned with regret the resignation of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara,” said the spokesperson of […]

Algeria Columns Headlines Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Köhler resignation could bring UN process in Sahara to square one

Two years after taking office, UN Special Envoy to the Sahara Horst Köhler submitted his resignation citing health reasons, a decision that analysts say could bring negotiations over the Sahara issue to square one. After years of stalemate, the former German president managed to bring the four parties Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario back […]

Headlines Maghreb Morocco

Moroccan Commission on Struggle against Human Trafficking set up

The Head of Government, Saad Dine El Otmani, chaired, Thursday in Rabat, the installation ceremony of the members of the National Commission for Coordination of Measures to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings, which represents a fundamental element in the strengthening of the human rights system in Morocco. El Otmani stressed that the establishment […]

Headlines Maghreb Mauritania Morocco

Sahara-Narcotics: Polisario Shifts Its Drugs Trafficking to South of Dakhla

The Polisario Front, which is drowning in hot water and under fire from all sides, seeks to stir up trouble in the Moroccan Sahara in a desperate attempt to divert attention from the diplomatic setbacks it suffered on the international scene. The Polisario leaders not only encourage their agents to block road traffic at the […]

Asia Business Headlines International Maghreb Morocco

Agriculture could help Morocco shrink trade deficit with China- McKinsey

Mckinsey said that agriculture stands as a promising sector for Morocco in order to bridge the gap in its trade deficit with China. The US consulting firm said in a report on Chinese-African economic ties that out of the 2 billion dollars of Morocco’s agricultural exports in 2017, only 0.2% was sold to China. The […]