Asia Columns Headlines International Opinions

The UAE punching above its weight

The UAE a tiny wealthy Gulf country with a native population of about 1 million has broken away with the wisdom of its founder Sheikh Zayed after the de facto ruler Mohamad Bin Zayed consolidated his grip in the country. The UAE’s aggressive foreign policy was outspokenly expressed during and after the Arab Spring as […]

Americas Columns Headlines International Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Morocco bolsters ties with Dominican Republic, strengthens foothold in Latin America

Morocco has attached particular importance to strengthening ties with Latin and Central American countries winning precious support for its national Sahara cause and bolstering trade and investments. The recent visit to Saint-Dominique by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stands as a reflection of a win-win partnership that Morocco has been building across the Atlantic. During the […]

Africa Columns Headlines International Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Sahara: Polisario Persona Non Grata in Sino-African Forum in Addis Ababa

The Polisario leaders have the blues for they were not invited to the China-Africa Partnership Forum, held lately in Addis Ababa, under the theme “The Belt, Road Dialogue for China-Africa cooperation”. No invitation was extended to the separatist entity for this important event organized by China in collaboration with the African Union (AU) Commission, which […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Americas Columns Headlines International Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Sahara: Rabat & Washington Committed to Finding Lasting Solution

After the UN Security Council adopted on April 30 resolution 2468 on the Sahara with an overwhelming majority, a resolution in which the US played a crucial role consolidating Morocco’s stand, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held lately intensive meetings with US officials in Washington-DC. According to reliable sources cited by Hespress website, Mr. Bourita held […]

Business Columns Headlines Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Morocco ahead of schedule in aeronautical industry goals

Morocco is moving forward posting results that have surpassed the set goals for the aviation industry 2020 plan. With 140 enterprises in 2019, the sector grew from 3 enterprises 20 years ago and is now generating revenue of 17 billion dirhams. French Safran for example intended to open a plant employing 400 people but now […]

Business Columns Headlines Maghreb Morocco Opinions

Morocco targets economic diversification to secure long-term growth

Morocco has taken a series of reforms to diversify the triggers of growth for its economy away from dependence on agriculture, phosphates and tourism through developing competitive industries and diversifying its trading partners. Agriculture weights about 15% of the Moroccan economy making the amount of rainfall key to influence economic performance. Last year, cereals output […]

Columns Headlines Libya Maghreb Opinions Tunisia

Tunisia struggles with spillover of war in Tripoli

Since the launch by Haftar’s LNA forces of an offensive to take Tripoli from the UN-sponsored government (GNA) early April, trade has been heavily affected in Tunisian border towns with hospitals full of wounded Libyans. The intensifying battles around Tripoli are also putting a strain on Tunisia’s security apparatus which announced on May 3 the […]