Month: July 2026

France and Morocco strengthen ties at Rabat reception At the French Residence in Rabat, Ambassador Philippe Lalliot championed a revitalized partnership between France and Morocco in front of a distinguished audience of over 1,500 guests. The annual Bastille Day celebration at the French Residence in Rabat served as a platform for Ambassador Philippe Lalliot to emphasize the deepening cooperation between France and Morocco. The event drew high-level attendees, including Moroccan ministers and international diplomats, underscoring the significance of this bilateral relationship. Among the guests were Mohamed Saad Berrada, Morocco’s Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, who represented the government, and Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, a key figure in Morocco’s dig...

Dakar — The Collectif des descendants de Serigne Touba, representing the heirs of the revered Senegalese religious leader, has filed a legal complaint against prominent politician Ousmane Sonko. The suit targets Sonko for alleged defamation and spreading false information regarding financial transactions linked to the holy city of Touba. The legal action is spearheaded by prominent attorney Me Aboubacry Barro, who confirmed the filing on social media. The complaint stems from recent public statements attributed to Sonko, in which he questioned the origin and intended use of funds reportedly directed toward Touba. The politician claimed that "large sums of money have recently been funneled into Touba, funds that belong to the nation and were stolen." He further alleged that these financia...

EU diplomats declared persona non grata in Burkina FasoThe Government of Burkina Faso has declared two European Union diplomats persona non grata, giving them 72 hours to leave the country.Diplomatic expulsion reflects deeper EU-Burkina Faso tensionsBurkina Faso has taken a firm stance against the European Union by declaring two of its diplomats persona non grata. The decision requires them to depart the country within three days, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic relations.Who are the expelled diplomats?The two individuals targeted are the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation responsible for political affairs, press, and information, alongside a Programme Officer from the EU Delegation. Their expulsion comes at a time when Burkina Faso is asserting its sovereignty amid ongoing re...

France has elevated Morocco to the top of its diplomatic priorities in the Maghreb, signaling a clear shift in its regional strategy. This pivotal move comes ahead of a two-day official visit by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to Rabat, where he is leading a high-powered delegation of ministers and officials. Lecornu’s visit—his first overseas trip since assuming office—marks a significant diplomatic engagement. Among his key meetings, he will hold bilateral talks with Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch in the afternoon, followed by a joint press conference. The agenda also includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mohammed V Mausoleum and a formal luncheon to conclude the visit. Accompanying Lecornu is a delegation of over a dozen ministers, including Foreign Minister Jean-...