First Independent Mena Newspaper
Moroccan navy is currently taking part off Spanish coasts in the 13th iteration of the multinational maritime exercise Phoenix Express 2017 along with maritime forces from Europe and the United States. The Moroccan frigate, Tarik Ibn Ziad, took part in the naval exercise, which was sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and facilitated by U.S. Naval […]
The Nigeria-Morocco huge gas pipeline project, agreed upon last year, is taking shape with the signing Monday in Rabat of additional agreements related to the pipeline that will stretch along the West African coast all the way up from Nigeria to Morocco and eventually into Europe. The agreements were signed at a ceremony chaired by […]
Omar Khiame, Head of Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations- an offshoot of Morocco’s domestic intelligence services- deplored that Algerian authorities remain reluctant to cooperate on security issues relating to counterterrorism. Speaking at a TV show on Morocco’s 2M channel on the anniversary of May 16, 2003 terrorist attack that hit Casablanca, Khiame highlighted the […]
Australia has effectively established an embassy in Rabat and proceeded to the appointment of Berenice Owen-Jones first Australian resident Ambassador to Morocco. This was announced in a statement by Australia’s foreign Minister Julie Bishop. “Australia and Morocco enjoy close ties and celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016. We share strong people-to-people links, […]
Tunisians this weekend marched through the streets of capital city Tunis to protest against a bill that would grant amnesty to businessmen, accused of corruption under the former administration. Under the draft bill, corrupted businessmen would be spared any prosecution if they reveal the stolen funds and pay them back. Protesters claim the bill contradicts […]
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has trimmed its predictions for GDP growth in Morocco in 2017 from 4.8% to 4.2%. Growth is expected to accelerate in 2017 to 4.2 per cent, as agricultural output rebounds following strong rainfall, and non- agricultural growth remains subdued, said the EBRD in its Regional Economic Prospects […]
Another soldier of the Moroccan contingent of the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic was fatally wounded during an exchange of fire this Saturday (May 13) with an armed group that attacked a Moroccan checkpoint in downtown Bangassou. An armed group opened fire on civilians overnight killing an undisclosed number and at […]
“Can Algeria be saved?” wonders the International Policy Digest, which rang the alarm bell concerning Algeria’s explosive mix: regime opacity, ailing economy, dwindling oil revenues, widespread corruption, fragile social cohesion and lingering terrorist threat. The US political magazine points to the internal rivalry within Algeria’s military junta and its inability to reach an agreement on […]
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Moghereni, reiterated her support for Morocco’s return to its African institutional family, underscoring the importance of the EU’s partnership with both Morocco and the African Union. “With Morocco’s return, the African Union’s family reunites,” said Moghereni who was answering a question by a member of the European Parliament. In […]
Support for the Algerian-sponsored separatist thesis in the Moroccan Sahara is waning as 43 countries have over the last years withdrawn their recognition of the SADR entity, said Spokesperson for the Moroccan government, Mustapha EL Khalfi. Morocco is making progress with regards to gathering international support for its sovereignty over the Sahara as evidenced by […]