European Diplomats are seeking Russia’s help to use its clout over Libya’s strongman General Haftar, who command the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army (LNA), to broker a deal that will bring rival Libyan factions under the civilian command of the UN-backed government of national accord (GNA), set up in December 2015. The European lead nation on […]
International
Qatar Petroleum to Explore Oil & Gas in Morocco
Qatar Petroleum (QP) said it will lead exploration projects of oil and gas in Morocco and Cyprus as it seeks to compensate for sluggish growth at home by expanding its liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets abroad. “You will see us going internationally with some of the partners we have in Qatar, this year and next […]
Sudan Threatens to Bring Territorial Dispute with Egypt before UN
Tension is brewing between Khartoum and Cairo over the Halaib’s triangle disputed territory on the Red Sea after the long serving Sudanese President Omar Bashir renewed claims to the area threatening to bring the issue before the UN if negotiations with Egypt fail. The Sudanese government has recently renewed with the UN Security Council standing […]
Maghreb-Sahel: Exodus of IS Fighters from Conflict Zones, UN Warns
The United Nations warned Maghreb and Sahel countries of the relocation of Islamic State fighters fleeing defeats in Iraq, Syria and Libya. “There are great risks that these jihadists join sleeping cells of al Qaida, and settle in the Maghreb and in the Sahel,” the UN said in a report. Moroccan Arabic media Akhbar Al […]
Two Moroccan Alleged Members of IS Arrested in Spain
The Spanish interior ministry Tuesday announced it pinned down two Moroccans belonging to a terrorist recruiting cell affiliated to the Islamic State group (IS). The two men, aged 25 and 27, were nabbed at Badalona, North-East of Barcelona. According to the ministry, they use internet to recruit and indoctrinate would-be terrorists for IS. These internet-recruited […]
Morocco Warns of Repercussions if EU Fails to Honor Agricultural Agreement
In a strong worded statement, Morocco’s Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry alerted the European Union to the repercussions that may result from failing to honor the agricultural agreement after attempts to deny entrance of some Moroccan products. “Morocco and the European Union have inked an agricultural agreement whose implementation covers all the territories of the Kingdom […]
Algeria Uses the Polisario to ‘Unsettle’ Morocco- South African Paper
In the wake of the triumphal return of Morocco to the African Union where the King delivered a landmark speech reflecting Morocco’s growing economic and diplomatic clout in the continent, the leading South African paper, the Daily Maverick, published an analysis on what Morocco will gain from its comeback to the continental body, noting that […]
The Africa Atlantic Pipeline, Bringing African Gas to the Mediterranean
Morocco is finally reaping the benefits of its south-south driven cooperation policy with African states. The Kingdom’s increasing economic attractiveness and clout in the continent is the fruit of restless efforts led by King Mohammed VI who paid 46 visits to African countries since his accession to the throne. One of the major projects reflecting […]
AMU Paralysis: King’s Speech before AU Sounds the Alarm
The speech delivered by King Mohammed VI before the Heads of State attending the 28th African Union Summit rang the alarm bell as to the state of immobility affecting the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU.) The situation of AMU actually stands in stark contrast to the dynamism characterizing other sub-regional groupings such as the Economic Community […]
Italy Creates €200-million Fund to Tackle Illegal Migration from Africa
Italy Wednesday announced it was setting up a fund allocated for African countries to upgrade the fight against illegal migration. Speaking in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano indicated that the fund will be used to provide equipment and to train security forces of these countries to secure their external borders. “The strategic objective is […]