Category Economy & Business

Morocco-Côte d’Ivoire cooperation, by means of its vitality and dynamism, stays “a reference” in Africa, affirmed Léon Kacou Adom, the Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivorians Abroad, on Friday in Laayoune.

Speaking on the fifth session of the Joint Grand Commission for Morocco-Côte d’Ivoire Cooperation, the Ivorian minister praised the energy and resilience of the fraternal and pleasant ties which have united the 2 international locations for the reason that institution of diplomatic relations in 1962.

In this regard, he highlighted the spectacular variety of reciprocal high-level visits, the importance of investments and commerce exchanges, in addition to the quite a few agreements signed between the 2 states.

This session, he famous, “is part of the grand vision of Alassane Ouattara and King Mohammed VI, expressing the firm will of our two Heads of State to continue strengthening and diversifying our cooperation for the benefit of our economies and the well-being of our populations.”

He added that this assembly would thus present a chance to evaluate the progress of this cooperation and discover new views to raise it to a extremely strategic stage.

He additional famous that in the course of the work of this grand joint fee, each events would evaluate all features of their relations and study draft agreements in precedence sectors, which might be signed throughout this session.

He emphasised the purpose of making a authorized framework that’s as dynamic as it’s environment friendly for fostering fruitful collaboration between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire.

From these exchanges, indispensable instruments ought to emerge to make the Yamoussoukro-Rabat axis a mannequin of profitable cooperation inside the African house, he asserted, commending the specialists from each international locations for the standard of their work and their impeccable dedication in the course of the preparation of this assembly.

Ivorian-Moroccan cooperation is flourishing, with commerce rising by 76.11 billion CFA francs (over MAD 1.2 billion) between 2022 and 2023, he famous, recalling the robust contribution of the Ivorian and Moroccan non-public sectors.

According to him, these have efficiently leveraged the Strategic and Economic Partnership Agreement signed on January 21, 2015, in Marrakech in the course of the State Visit to Morocco by H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Hailing the essential function of the non-public sector in mobilizing financing and investments, the Ivorian diplomat expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation, significantly within the fields of schooling, coaching, safety, and justice.

“In light of the shared vision and legitimate ambitions of our two Heads of State, I remain convinced that the conclusions of our work will further strengthen the historic relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco, two of the most influential states on the continent due to the vitality of their respective economies,” he concluded.

In holding with the High Royal Instructions, Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in control of National Defense Administration, acquired, on Friday on the Administration’s headquarters, Cabo Verde’s State Minister of Defence Janine Tatiana Santos Lelis, who was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and a high-ranking delegation, in addition to Cabo Verde’s Ambassador to Rabat.

During this go to, the 2 officers mentioned bilateral cooperation and explored methods to strengthen it in areas of frequent curiosity, notably in sharing experience within the army subject, in response to a press launch from the National Defense Administration.

Loudyi underlined Morocco’s efforts to foster regional stability and safety, highlighting the Royal Initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to remodel Africa’s Atlantic seaboard right into a hub for financial integration, peace and prosperity, involving all Atlantic and Sahel international locations.

For her half, the Cabo Verdean minister emphasised the excessive precedence of the partnership with Morocco, voicing her admiration for the assorted South-South and regional cooperation initiatives for the advantage of the African continent, launched underneath the management of His Majesty the King.

At the top of the assembly, attended by Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, FAR Inspector General and Commander of the South Zone, the 2 events expressed their shared ambition to strengthen relations by means of the forthcoming signature of a draft settlement on army cooperation, presently being finalized. This pact will enshrine the stable ties of friendship and mutual respect linking the 2 international locations, concludes the press launch.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, on Friday in Laâyoune that Morocco is intently monitoring the latest developments surrounding the announcement of a ceasefire settlement in Gaza, welcoming the settlement whether it is confirmed, and emphasizing that it “completely aligns with the positions expressed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, in several speeches since the onset of the crisis.”

In a joint press convention along with his Ivorian counterpart, held on the event of the fifth session of the joint cooperation committee between Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire, Bourita defined that “the King has consistently called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, one that is verifiable, leading to comprehensive de-escalation and ultimately paving the way for political solutions to the crisis,” underscoring that “this position reflects Morocco’s ongoing commitment to supporting peace and stability efforts in the region.”

The Minister additional emphasised that the settlement’s significance lies not solely in halting the violence that has claimed numerous lives and brought on widespread destruction but additionally in its potential to “advance efforts toward the release of prisoners and detainees, in line with Morocco’s humanitarian positions, as well as facilitating the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to Palestinians, which will help alleviate the severity of the ongoing crisis.”

Bourita additionally expressed Morocco’s hope that the settlement wouldn’t solely result in the reconstruction of Gaza but additionally present the required situations for the protected return of displaced people to their properties, guaranteeing the restoration of stability and normalcy within the area.

He famous that “the ceasefire represents a key step towards broader regional stability and offers an opportunity to rebuild trust among all concerned parties, creating the conditions for new political prospects.”

He reiterated the significance of the settlement as a necessary aspect for an enduring peace within the Middle East, emphasizing that “it serves as a foundation for advancing a political process that could lead to a two-state solution, as envisioned by King Mohammed VI, with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, living peacefully alongside Israel.”

Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s steadfast dedication to the Palestinian trigger, highlighting that the Kingdom considers it a nationwide precedence and, on this context, expressed “the Kingdom’s gratitude to all those who contributed to reaching this agreement,” with hopes that this initiative would yield concrete outcomes on the bottom, in the end bettering the lives of civilians and guaranteeing the sustainability of the ceasefire.

A brand new poll by Ifop-Fiducial for Sud Radio reveals how French folks really feel about Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Morocco got here out on high, with 68% of respondents holding a optimistic view of the nation. 

Tunisia adopted with 60%, whereas Algeria lagged behind at simply 29%. 

Interestingly, Algeria’s rating is barely higher than in 2012, when solely 26% considered it favorably.

The survey revealed how politics largely form these opinions. 

For instance, Morocco is very common amongst Green Party supporters, with 81% giving it a thumbs up. 

On the opposite hand, solely 14% of National Rally supporters have a optimistic view of Algeria.

When it involves French-Algerian relations, most individuals assume Algeria is getting the higher deal. 

Around 74% of respondents consider Algeria advantages extra from the partnership, a view that has caught round because the Seventies. 

Support for this opinion is strongest amongst Republicans (94%) and Renaissance supporters (91%), however a lot weaker amongst France Insoumise supporters, with solely 38% agreeing.

The ballot additionally checked out what the French take into consideration particular insurance policies associated to Algeria. 

Two-thirds (67%) help slicing improvement assist, whereas 64% are in favor of France recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. 

There’s additionally vital backing for canceling outdated agreements with Algeria, just like the 1968 visa and household reunification offers. 

Overall, 61% help this transfer, with Republicans main the cost at 79%, in comparison with simply 35% of France Insoumise supporters.

Relations between France and Morocco have seen noticeable enchancment in recent times.

A current instance of their rising cooperation is Morocco’s profitable mediation to free 4 French nationals detained in Burkina Faso on espionage expenses. 

Morocco’s intervention, led by King Mohammed VI, demonstrated its dedication to supporting France and its residents, incomes reward from French President Emmanuel Macron. 

This humanitarian act not solely resolved a delicate state of affairs but additionally bolstered belief between the 2 nations.

France has additionally proven higher alignment with Morocco’s priorities, together with rising help for its sovereignty over its Sahara. 

Economic ties stay robust, with French companies enjoying an important position in Morocco’s improvement, notably in infrastructure and renewable power.

A coalition of Sahrawi NGOs has accused the Polisario Front of systematic human rights abuses within the Tindouf refugee camps in southwestern Algeria. The claims had been introduced in a report submitted to the Global Conference on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva, which convened on Wednesday and Thursday.

The report alleges that 1000’s of Sahrawis have lived below “a state of lawlessness” for the reason that camps had been established in 1975. It highlights the dearth of authorized protections for camp residents, lots of whom stay with out formal refugee standing.

The coalition—comprising the International Network for Human Rights and Development, the African Organization for Human Rights Monitoring, and Defenders for Human Rights—acknowledged that the Polisario Front operates with full jurisdictional authority delegated by Algeria. This association, they argue, has endured for practically 5 a long time with out worldwide oversight.

“Sahrawis in the camps have faced extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and degrading treatment,” the report stated. It detailed incidents relationship again to the Nineteen Eighties when tons of of people had been allegedly detained and tortured by Polisario safety forces. Victims had been reportedly accused of espionage and dispersed throughout networks corresponding to Akleibat Lafoula and Tekna.

The coalition referred to as enforced disappearances a “systematic tool of fear” utilized by the Polisario to suppress dissent. It famous that such practices proceed below the safety of Algerian authorities, regardless of worldwide requires accountability.

Algeria, which hosts the Tindouf camps, has confronted criticism throughout its Universal Periodic Review for failing to guard people on its soil. The coalition urged Algerian authorities to conduct a census of camp residents and prosecute perpetrators of human rights abuses, together with enforced disappearances.

The NGOs additionally referred to as on Algeria to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and collaborate with UN mechanisms to handle these violations.

The report emphasised the necessity for Algeria to finish its delegation of authority to the Polisario and take steps to make sure the safety of Sahrawis within the Tindouf camps. “These individuals deserve basic human rights and protection, in line with international standards,” the coalition stated.

Morocco’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, who’s chairing the present session of the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs within the Arab World, held a number of bilateral conferences on Wednesday in Rabat together with his Arab counterparts.

These conferences have been carried out with the Ministers of Culture from a number of Arab international locations together with Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Mauritania and Djibouti, in addition to with the Iraqi Director General of Culture and Kuwait’s Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, mentioned an announcement from the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.

These conferences served as a chance to reaffirm the power of bilateral relations between these international locations and the Kingdom of Morocco, in addition to the extent of cooperation in numerous fields, the assertion added.

Under the management of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and in accordance with the Sovereign’s enlightened imaginative and prescient, Morocco is dedicated to joint Arab motion and multilateral cooperation throughout the Arab world, Bensaid assured his Arab counterparts.

Discussions targeted on points associated to cultural exchanges, the sharing of experience within the fields of tradition and heritage, in addition to coordination inside numerous related regional and worldwide our bodies, along with cultural issues of widespread curiosity, it was emphasised.

On Wednesday, Morocco hosted the twenty fourth session of the Conference of Arab Ministers of Culture, which concluded with suggestions aimed toward selling and adapting cultural motion in gentle of challenges associated to digitization and synthetic intelligence.

President of the Court of Auditors,Zineb El Adaoui known as right now for enhanced intersectoral cooperation, extra environment friendly water use, and a stronger give attention to non-conventional assets. throughout a speech earlier than Parliament to current the Court’s 2023-2024 report.

El Adaoui emphasised the necessity to “sensitize businesses, households, and citizens to the critical importance of rationalizing water consumption,” urging for widespread communication on the difficulty.

El Adaoui additionally careworn the need of introducing “deterrent measures” in opposition to irresponsible water use, drawing from international finest practices. She highlighted the position of renewable power in optimizing water assets, notably by way of “desalination technologies.” 

In addition, she advocated for larger scientific analysis within the water sector, calling for nearer collaboration with universities and analysis labs to handle urgent environmental challenges associated to water and soil.

Regarding irrigation, El Adaoui famous that whereas efforts to modernize irrigation programs have been important, they haven’t stopped the rising demand for irrigation water. 

“Despite considerable efforts to modernize collective irrigation networks and expand localized irrigation, we have not been able to curb the rising demand for irrigation water,” she stated. By the top of 2023, solely 50% of irrigated land was lined by localized programs, largely on account of delays in equipping farms for this transition.

El Adaoui additionally lamented the underutilization of handled wastewater in agriculture, mentioning that round 37 million cubic meters of wastewater had been obtainable in 2023 however not totally exploited. This subject, she defined, is partly on account of “the absence of clear standards defining the quality of treated wastewater for agricultural use.”

She additionally famous that “effective water management requires continued efforts to reduce distribution losses,” aiming to extend the nationwide community effectivity from 77% to 80% by 2030.

Since the Nineteen Sixties, Morocco has carried out proactive water insurance policies, reminiscent of dam building, to enhance sustainability and meet environmental and financial challenges. El Adaoui reminded Parliament of the 2020-2027 National Drinking Water and Irrigation Supply Program, with a price range of 143 billion dirhams, which goals to safe water provides for each consuming and agriculture.

El Adaoui concluded by stressing the significance of focusing dam initiatives in areas with excessive rainfall and accelerating the interconnection of hydraulic basins, describing it as a “novel solution to tackle water scarcity and reduce territorial inequalities” in water distribution.

“Russia is helping Morocco in seeking a resolution to the Western Sahara issue,” emphasised Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov throughout a press convention reviewing the achievements of Russian diplomacy in 2024, in response to the Russian information company TASS.

Lavrov emphasised that “Morocco is a friendly country. We have good plans. We are assisting Moroccans in addressing issues within the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly the issue of Western Sahara.”

The Russian Foreign Minister added that “such issues cannot be resolved unilaterally, as they will inevitably resurface in the future. We need to seek mutually acceptable agreements.”

He went on to emphasise that “we understand how important this issue is for Morocco, and we will make every effort to assist. However, the issue can only be resolved based on mutual consent, not by imposing solutions on one side.”

Recalling the historic context, the pinnacle of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that The UN Security Council determined way back—about 40 years in the past—that the query of Western Sahara’s standing must be resolved by means of the self-determination of Western Sahara, emphasizing that, even in spite of everything this time, “nothing has progressed.”

Lavrov moreover criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s resolution to acknowledge Moroccan sovereignty over the southern territories.

He argued that “such unilateral decisions only sow discord and inevitably lead to future conflicts,” evaluating the transfer to Trump’s statements about reclaiming the Panama Canal.

The authorities celebrated the Amazigh New Year 2975 in Rabat by signing a number of key agreements geared toward selling the officialization and use of the Amazigh language throughout varied sectors. 

The agreements embrace initiatives to implement the federal government’s program for the language’s official standing, improve public providers in Amazigh, and incorporate the language in public transport techniques.

Naima Ben Yahia , Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, signed the primary settlement with FatimaZahra Mansouri, Minister of National Planning, Urbanism, Housing, and City Policy, and Azeddine El Mehdaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, together with different notable figures equivalent to Lahcen Daoudi, President of the Public Prosecution, and Lahcen Saadi, Secretary of State for Handicrafts, Social Economy, and Solidarity.

In an extra effort to increase Amazigh providers, Ben Yahia additionally signed a second settlement to strengthen reception and advisory providers in Amazigh, alongside Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, Mohamed Berrada, Minister of National Education, Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and Mustapha Baïtas, Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament.

A closing settlement targeted on integrating the Amazigh language in public transport providers was signed by Benhyaye and Ihssane Lotfi from the General Directorate of Civil Protection, reinforcing the federal government’s ongoing dedication to the language’s official recognition and wider use.

Ferhat Mehenni, chief of the Kabyle independence motion and head of the provisional Kabyle government-in-exile, has referred to as on Algeria’s United Nations ambassador, Amar Benjamaa, to provoke a dialogue within the UN Security Council relating to the Kabyle folks’s proper to self-determination. Algeria holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for January.

In his letter despatched Monday, Mehenni urged the Algerian consultant to prioritize the problem, stating: “In light of the issues you plan to raise at the helm of this esteemed international body, I appeal to you, in the name of the right to self-determination—a principle dear to your country regarding Palestine, Western Sahara, and recently, Azawad—to include the Kabyle people’s right to determine their future on the UN agenda.”

Mehenni accused the Algerian authorities of violently suppressing Kabyle aspirations for independence, emphasizing extreme human rights abuses since June 2021. He referenced Algeria’s penal code, particularly Article 87 bis, which equates any expression of Kabyle self-determination with terrorism.

“Over 13,000 activists have been arrested, subjected to torture, and in some cases, sexual violence during interrogations,” Mehenni wrote, including that detainees had been imprisoned and unfairly sentenced based mostly on fabricated proof. He claimed 38 Kabyle people are at the moment on demise row for crimes they didn’t commit.

The Kabyle chief additionally alleged Algeria systematically denies political prisoners amnesty, utilizing them as bargaining instruments. He accused Algeria of orchestrating widespread forest fires in Kabyle areas in August 2021, which resulted in over 500 deaths and 1000’s of accidents. These acts, Mehenni claimed, had been a part of an operation dubbed “Zero Kabyle,” allegedly coordinated on the highest ranges of Algeria’s navy to impress the Kabyle liberation motion into taking over arms.

Algerian authorities have repeatedly dismissed claims by the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), labeling it a terrorist group and attributing unrest within the area to international interference.

Mehenni’s name for worldwide scrutiny comes amidst rising stress between the Kabyle motion and the Algerian state, because the Kabyle chief seeks to raise the problem to world prominence throughout Algeria’s Security Council presidency.