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Morocco: King Mohammed VI gets France’s support on Western Sahara, pardons some jailed journalists and activists
King Mohammed VI is celebrating 25 years on the throne. The event was celebrated nationwide in Morocco, and in a give-and-take moment, the King receiving a massive gift from France and gave back the freedom to some journalists and activists who have been in prison....
Drought Disrupts Wheat Sector in Morocco, Uncertainty with French and Russian Supplies
Morocco’s wheat harvest this year is likely to fall below 2.5 million tons due to a debilitating and lasting drought that has affected much of the country. To put it into perspective, during the wet season, output can reach up to 10 million tons, according to Bloomberg. Industry analysts warn that grain production in Morocco this year will drop by 39% compared to the 2023’s harvest of 4.2 million tons.
How to MEGA or ‘Make Europe Great Again’
In the second week of June 2024, far-right parties across the EU made significant gains in the European Parliament elections. In France, the National Rally led by Marine Le Pen secured nearly a third of the votes, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call for snap elections. Far-right gains affected most major European nations, such as Germany and Italy. In contrast, the Green parties suffered significant losses, which as seeing their influence in Germany and other countries wane.
Algeria’s strengthening EU gas market pushes Morocco to look for its own gas
Algeria was in the spotlight at the G7 summit in Bari in Italy in mid-June. New agreements have been signed with President Tebboun. To counter the strengthening Algerian strategy on the European gas market. Morocco is trying to develop its own gas fields.
North Africa Confronted with New Security Concerns
There is news coverage in Spain about Morocco stepping up its military presence near the Spanish-controlled enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and a lot of chatter about a Russian military presence in Tunisia.
Algeria-Morocco: The Dividing Kaftan
The Kaftan or Caftan, is now source of new tension between Morocco and Algeria. The two countries have been monitoring each other’s moves to pinpoint and complain about “cultural appropriation” when it comes to food, traditional graphics designs, arts and now robes.
Senegal: Disgraced President leaves office to find shelter in Marrakesh
By MondAfrique: A short video circulating on social media shows outgoing Senegalese President Macky Sall's departure for Morocco on April 2, the day of the inauguration of his rival Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Morocco officially welcomed the former President of Senegal...
Morocco: Health workers go on strike, demand implementation of reforms
While the healthcare sector is undergoing strikes and tensions between health workers and the government rise, Morocco is experiencing an upsurge in tuberculosis. Official data suggest that at least 100 cases are identified every day, with the death toll reaching...
Morocco: Price of butane gas to increase by 25% in April
(Photo: Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch) Morocco will stop subsidizing butane gas in 2026, but prices will begin to increase next month, April 2024. The decision to lift subsidies was announced in October 2023 by billionaire Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who also...
Agriculture: Spanish farmers say Moroccan strawberries carry virus, as Morocco surpasses Spain as tomato supplier to EU
Agriculture is the theater of another kind of war where there are winners and losers. Worth billions of dollars, the EU agricultural market is seeing intensifying competition, with local farmers sometime resorting to violence to destroy competing produce coming from...
Algeria-Morocco Competition for Regional Influence Shifts to Economic Affairs
Opinion By Arezki Daoud: Up until now, enemy brothers, Algeria and Morocco have been trying to impress and disrupt one another to ascertain their influence in the North Africa and Sahel regions through sabre-rattling, despite the two countries boasting the exact same...
Morocco: Consumers to pay more for Netflix, Airbnb and other online services courtesy 2024 state budget
Morocco is overhauling its taxation system to generate more revenue from online services, in particular the ones focused on foreign-operated services. The new provisions of the Finance Bill for the 2024 fiscal year introduce tax payments from international companies...
Western Sahara: Escalating Tensions Between Morocco and the SPLA
The North Africa Journal: With global attention focused on the Middle East and the Ukrainian crises, the Western Sahara feud has been evolving from a low-intensity conflict to a one with more frequent incidents, risking to shift into a higher-intensity crisis if the...
Podcast: The Sahel is the Next Big Geopolitical Crisis where Foreign Meddlers are Congregating
Transcript: The Sahel is now clearly the next big event in Africa's geopolitics. After the complete destruction of Libya, the same foreign powers that paid for the killing of a nation are now shifting their attention to the Sahel, establishing the bases of another...
Trade: Israel-Morocco trade takes a hit amid extreme instability in the Middle East
Last year, Morocco and Israel have had a strong run on their bilateral trade, as the two countries put into effect the Abraham Accords. Almost all the Moroccan media reporting on the topic during 2023, underscored the exponential growth of Morocco-Israel trade, with...
Moroccan authorities destroy homes without warning or relocation offers ($)
In a series of surprise operations, coastal communities in Morocco have been experiencing the forceful destruction of homes and structures by bulldozers supervised by local authorities. The affected residents say they received no prior warning or official justification, nor have they been given relocation options. They denounce the arbitrary and authoritarian acts, raising concerns about the disregard for legal procedures and citizens’ rights.
Morocco’s water woes deepen as rationing takes hold
By The North Africa Journal: The entire sub-region of North Africa is the hardest hit by a drought that is causing disruptions to millions of households, businesses and farmers. The situation is probably the worst in the region’s history. Just like other countries in...
Morocco-Israel trade figures collapsing
Defense: Morocco orders armored vehicles from Turkey ($)
Mauritania: Sudden customs tax increase at border with Morocco jolts food markets in Mauritania
Households and consumers in Mauritania are experiencing spikes in food prices. A the Nouakchott fruit and vegetable market prices surged over the days, following the sudden increase in customs taxes at the border point of Guerguérat separating Mauritania and...
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