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Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment and Water, alongside the European Union, Germany, France, and Italy, has rolled out a groundbreaking initiative valued at 348 million euros (3.7 billion Moroccan dirhams) to reinforce the country’s water policy framework. Funding structure and international collaboration The program, designed under the Team Europe approach, combines a 48 million euro grant from the EU with three low-interest loans of 100 million euros each. These financial resources are administered by leading development agencies: the French Development Agency (AFD), Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), and Germany’s Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). Strategic priorities for water resilience The initiative focuses on four key areas to strengthen Morocco’s water management amid cli...

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Gabon achieved a historic milestone by securing a vice-presidential seat at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This election places Libreville at the heart of the UN’s decision-making body, marking the country’s return to a key leadership role after nearly a decade. The Gabonese delegation will not stand alone in this endeavor. Five other African nations—Cabo Verde, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, and Zimbabwe—will join them in September 2026, when the 81st session of the UNGA convenes in New York. The Gabonese Permanent Mission to the UN, acting as a representative of the African regional group, is poised to take on a pivotal role. Its representatives will collaborate closely with the elected president of the session, Khalilur Rahman, to ensure the smoo...

Benin and Niger lift barriers to boost bilateral ties On June 2, Cotonou and Niamey reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepen collaboration across political, economic, scientific, and cultural spheres during an official visit to Niger by Benin’s President, Romuald Wadagni, at the invitation of his counterpart, Abdourahamane Tiani. A joint statement released after the meetings highlighted the Presidents’ conviction that strengthening bilateral ties is essential for both nations’ progress. They agreed to expand mutual exchanges, particularly by reinstating the regular sessions of the Niger-Benin Joint Cooperation Commission. The leaders explicitly pledged to eliminate all hurdles impeding closer bilateral cooperation, with a priority focus on reopen...

The Moroccan capital, Rabat, witnessed a high-level meeting on Tuesday as His Majesty King Mohammed VI received His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, during his private visit to the Kingdom.During the closed-door discussions at the Royal Palace in Rabat, the two leaders delved into pressing international issues, with particular focus on developments in the Gulf and Middle Eastern regions. The exchange highlighted the depth of the bilateral relationship between Morocco and the UAE, built on decades of strategic partnership and mutual cooperation.The meeting underscored the strong ties between the two nations, rooted in shared values and a commitment to regional stability. Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to addressing common challenge...

Chad's slide toward authoritarianism: opposition leaders jailed as single-party risks rise Authorities tighten grip on dissent with harsh sentences and coalition dissolutions In a move that underscores Chad’s accelerating descent into authoritarianism, eight opposition leaders were sentenced to eight years in prison this month for planning a demonstration against governance failures. Their coalition, the Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP), had intended to hold a protest on May 2, but their arrest two weeks prior effectively silenced their demands for accountability. The crackdown reached a new low when, just days before their sentencing on May 7, Chad’s Supreme Court dissolved the GCAP entirely—the country’s most prominent opposition alliance. These developments follow...

Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have cultivated a model of pragmatic cooperation rooted in deep historical ties, strengthened over generations by visionary leadership from both nations. This enduring alliance is defined by aligned strategic objectives, mutual political backing, and a diversified economic partnership that addresses major global challenges together. In a significant diplomatic engagement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, welcomed King Mohammed VI to Rabat on June 2 for a private visit. The meeting provided a platform for the two leaders to exchange perspectives on pressing international issues, particularly those affecting the Gulf and Middle East regions. The discussions reflected the unbreakable fraternal bonds between the two heads of state...

France and Morocco enter a new strategic chapter with ambassador Philippe Lalliot's official arrival The newly appointed French envoy formally presented his credentials to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita following his May appointment, initiating a mandate focused on strengthening the strategic trajectory outlined by Macron and safeguarding French investments ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The Sahara factor and the strategic shift in relations Investments, infrastructure, and focus on 2030 ...

The autonomous district of Abidjan has escalated its urban cleanup policy with the demolition of the Zimbabwe neighborhood in Vridi-3, launched on June 2. The operation targeted 28 hectares occupied by a long-standing fishing community near the Port of Abidjan. Thousands of residents were evicted within hours under what witnesses describe as harsh conditions. This move follows the razing of three informal settlements in Cocody, the affluent northern district, just ten days prior. Controversial urban order restoration in Abidjan Local authorities frame the campaign as an effort to restore order to the economic capital’s urban fabric. Officially termed an «urban order restoration operation,» it reflects the district’s determination to reclaim spaces deemed illegally occupied. Vridi-3, widel...

During an appearance on national television, the President of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, revealed his upcoming international schedule. Among the highlights, he confirmed an official visit to France on July 20, 2026. While logistical specifics remain under wraps, the political significance of this trip is undeniable. By Fati Seyni — Analyst

Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb landed in Niamey on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at deepening cooperation between Algeria and Niger. The visit, authorized by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, underscores both nations' commitment to reinforcing their strategic partnership across key sectors. The Algerian delegation, led by the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies and the Director-General of the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development, arrived with a clear agenda focused on bilateral relations and shared development goals. During the initial discussions, both Prime Ministers reviewed the current state of relations and explored ways to expand collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Their talks centered on revitalizing joint development projects...

DiplomacyMorocco secures first seat at UN general assembly's 81st sessionMorocco has been selected by random draw to hold the first seat at the upcoming 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, set to commence in September in New York.The United Nations General Assembly held a plenary session in New York where UN Secretary-General António Guterres conducted a random draw to determine which nation would occupy the first seat during the upcoming session. Following established protocol, Morocco was selected.«The Secretary-General has just announced the country that will hold the first seat in the General Assembly Hall during the next session. That country is Morocco,» UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated at a press briefing, welcoming the decision.During the same session, the ...

A landmark meeting took place in Niamey on June 2, 2026, between Benin's President Romuald Wadagni and Niger's military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, signaling a critical turning point in bilateral relations. This high-level engagement follows nearly three years of strained political, security, and economic ties between Cotonou and Niamey, particularly since the July 2023 coup in Niger. rebuilding trust through three key priorities The discussions centered on three pressing issues that have long divided the neighboring nations: combating terrorism, reopening shared borders, and reviving commercial exchanges. These topics have been major obstacles since the political upheaval in Niger. securing borders against rising terrorism Both countries face escalating threats from arme...