First Independent Mena Newspaper
Algeria’s president Abdelmedjid Tebboune met the new Vatican Pope Leo XIV in a bid to polish his image, following a visit to Italy. Tebboune attempted to leverage the legacy of Saint Augustine, born in present-day Algeria, as a cultural and spiritual bridge between Algeria and the Catholic world. The visit is portrayed as part of […]
As the European Union fast-tracks reforms under its New Pact on Migration and Asylum, critics warn that the bloc’s externalization strategy — outsourcing migration control to third countries, notably in North Africa — risks deepening distrust and failing to address root causes. The reforms prioritize returns and border controls, expanding concepts like ‘safe third country’ […]
Portugal, an Atlantic nation with centuries-old ties to many countries in Africa, has backed in clear-cut terms Morocco’s initiative to facilitate access to global trade for landlocked Sahel states. This came in a joint statement following talks in Lisbon Tuesday between Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Portuguese peer, Paulo Rangel. Portugal backs the […]
Portugal, an Atlantic nation sharing centuries-old ties with many African countries, has reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the most serious, credible and constructive basis to settle the Sahara issue. This came in a joint statement following talks in Lisbon Tuesday between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Portuguese peer Paulo Rangel. […]
A sweeping shift in the European Union’s migration policy is drawing fierce criticism across Africa, as the EU proposes linking development aid to countries’ cooperation on border control and deportations. Under the revised Global Europe instrument, nations that fail to prevent irregular migration or refuse to accept deportees could see vital funds slashed. Critics say […]
The European Union and Morocco are negotiating a comprehensive partnership agreement focused on migration management and border control, marking a significant deepening of bilateral relations as Brussels seeks to stabilize irregular migration flows from North Africa. European Commission officials confirmed discussions model the framework on existing agreements with Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan, providing financial and […]
Greece has passed a new law allowing authorities to reject asylum applications from migrants arriving via Libya, designating the North African country as a “safe third country.” The move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that Libya remains unsafe for migrants and asylum seekers. The legislation, approved by the Greek parliament […]
On Monday, July 14, 2025, Mali has issued a strong diplomatic protest against the Czech Republic for denying entry visas to its U19 women’s basketball team, preventing their participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup held in Brno, from 12 to 20 July. The Foreign Ministry labelled the move as an “unfriendly act” and […]
The French Embassy hosted a vibrant celebration on the occasion of France’s National Day, marking not just a historic date but a renewed chapter in French-Moroccan relations. Held at the French Residence, the event welcomed some 2,500 guests, including high-ranking Moroccan officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the French community in Morocco. The evening […]
Morocco has solidified its position as a key trade partner for Spain, emerging as the third-largest supplier of agricultural and fisheries products to the Iberian nation after France and the Netherlands, according to official data released by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. The figures, published in the 2024 Foreign Trade Report, reveal that […]