Headlines Morocco

European Court Overturns Verdict on Trade Deal with Morocco, Hard Blow to Polisario

The European court has cancelled its former verdict on farm deal with Morocco in the appeal lodged by the European Union. This new ruling deals a hard blow to the Polisario separatists, backed by Algerian lobbyists who tirelessly seek to undermine Moroccan-European relations. During her latest trip to Morocco, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini […]

Algeria Finance Headlines

Algeria: Social Model Unsustainable, Former Official

Algeria’s “social model” known for its significant subsidy program is “unsustainable even if oil prices go up because we have a problem of price but also a problem of volume.” The statement was made by Abdelatif Benachenhou, former finance minister and economic adviser to President Abdealziz Bouteflika, who said that the state spends around $45billion […]

Headlines Morocco

Morocco Flatly Rejects any Change of UN Role in Sahara Issue

Morocco flatly rejects any change or modification of the nature of the United Nations’ role in the handling of the Sahara issue and any plots seeking to bury the autonomy plan which could, as recognized by many world powers, fulfil the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in […]

Headlines Morocco

Morocco-UN: Rabat Rejects Ban’s Regrets, Decries Unethical Behavior

Rabat has flatly rejected the regrets expressed earlier this week by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about what he called “a misunderstanding” about his use of the word occupation when referring to Morocco’s presence in the Sahara, and denounced the unethical behavior of the Un Secretariat General. The UN Chief’s inadmissible statements and behavior […]

Headlines Morocco

Sahara Issue: Paris Renews Support to Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, Irks Algiers

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Tuesday hammered home his country’s support for the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan for the disputed Sahara territory as tension between Rabat and the UN Head Ban Ki-Moon, heats up. Speaking at a joint press conference in Algiers with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra, Ayrault maintained that France’s position on the […]

Headlines Morocco

Ban Ki-Moon Attempts to Defuse Tension with Morocco, Regrets ‘Misunderstandings’ over Occupation Comment

In an attempt to defuse the tension that recently flared up between the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Morocco, the UN Chief on Monday expressed explicit regrets for the misunderstanding about the word “occupation” he had used when referring to Morocco’s presence in the Sahara. Stephane Dujarric, Ban Ki-Moon’s spokesman, Monday said during […]

Features Headlines International

Morocco’s Sahara, an African Economic Hub, a Bridge Linking Europe, Maghreb, Sahel

King Mohammed VI of Morocco renewed the pledge to make of the Sahara provinces an African economic hub and a bridge between Europe, the Maghreb and the Sahel region. In a message addressed to the 27th session of the Crans Montana Forum, convened for the second time in a row in the Southern Moroccan city […]

Headlines Morocco

Moroccan Sahara, a Matter of Life or Death, Prime Minister Benkirane

Morocco’s Premier Thursday reaffirmed Morocco’s historical and political attachment to the Moroccan Sahara saying that no one will ever snatch the territory from Morocco in reference to UN Chief’s recent designation of the territory as “occupied territory.” Speaking at the opening of a cabinet meeting in Rabat, Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane indicated that Morocco will […]

Headlines Morocco

Rabat Resumes Contacts with Brussels Raising Hope for Spat End

Morocco has decided to resume contacts with the European Union after having rebuffed European institutions following European Court ruling invalidating a farm deal signed with Rabat over Sahara issue. The move comes few days after the visit paid to Rabat by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini. During this trip, Mogherini voiced the […]

Headlines Morocco

Morocco Hits Back At UN SG Offensive Remarks

The Moroccan government has decided to significantly scale down the civilian component of MINURSO, to put off its voluntary contribution to the functioning of MINURSO and to consider the withdrawal of Moroccan blue helmets engaged in peacekeeping operations. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the North African country, these measures have been taken in […]