First Independent Mena Newspaper
West Africa is becoming a central node in global cocaine trafficking, as powerful criminal groups from the Western Balkans expand their footprint across the region, a new report has revealed. Once operating largely behind the scenes, Albanian- and Slavic-speaking networks have now entrenched themselves in countries like Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Cape Verde. These […]
Morocco has secured the top position in North Africa for economic freedom, ranking 101st globally out of 196 countries in the 2025 Nomad Capitalist Freedom Index, though structural obstacles continue to limit its full economic potential. The tax and migration advisory firm’s index evaluated countries across five pillars: financial freedom (30 percent), asset protection (25 […]
King Mohammed VI of Morocco deems the Atlantic Africa he is championing to be a geostrategic heart and a matrix of innovation & resilience, the aim being to transform the African Atlantic into a lever for unity, an engine for shared prosperity and a bulwark of stability. The remarks were made Thursday by Minister of […]
Morocco and Cape Verde are finalizing an agreement on military cooperation meant to enhance expertise sharing in the military field and enshrine the solid ties of friendship and mutual respect linking the two countries. The military cooperation agreement which is being finalized was brought up at a meeting in Rabat Friday between Minister in charge […]
Outgoing US president Joe Biden arrived in Angola on Monday (2 December) for his long-awaited inaugural presidential visit to the continent and also the first-ever visit by a sitting US head of state to the oil-rich southern African country. On his way to the African continent, Biden stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of […]
Cape Verde’s agricultural sector has achieved remarkable transformation four years after severe drought conditions, implementing innovative solutions including seawater desalination technology. This revival demonstrates successful adaptation to environmental challenges through modern infrastructure development and strategic planning. The program combines innovative crop introduction with expanded desalination capacity, supported by a new agricultural insurance system. These initiatives […]
Moroccan military and defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Cape Verde was discussed on the sidelines of Marrakech Air Show 2024 held October 30 through November 2. In this connection, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the South Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, held separate meetings Thursday with Chief of Staff […]
Cape Verde’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares reiterated, Monday, his country’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. In a statement to the press following talks with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita, in Rabat on the sidelines of the High-Level Ministerial Conference on Middle-Income Countries, Soares reaffirmed Cape Verde’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty […]
As the US top diplomat wrapped up his visit to Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Angola (21-26 January), experts have hailed what they call the United States finally “making serious efforts to strengthen its relations with Africa”. The four-nation tour of the continent by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was also officially […]
US top diplomat Antony J. Blinken announced Tuesday January 23 a pledge of $45 million in funding for security in West Africa, a region reeling with terrorism activities in some of its countries. Blinken made the announcement in Cote d’Ivoire as he met with President Alassane Ouattara in the capital, Abidjan. “Cote d’Ivoire is an […]