Morocco - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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City Name

Rabat

Morocco

April 18, 2025

Rabat 4:00 pm

20°C

Attendees fly a French national flag and an Algerian national flag during a gathering for the election night following the second round results of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024. A broad left-wing coalition was leading a tight French legislative election, ahead of both President's centrists and the far right with no group winning an absolute majority, projections showed. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know

A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country.

A couple hold their son's hands as they herd sheep near the village of Amellagou where Morocco's last nomads reside, on Sept. 2, 2022.

Morocco's economic growth slows as drought, locusts deplete farmland

The North African country is grappling with a sixth year of drought, the longest in Morocco’s modern history.

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Growing arms race tests Morocco’s military tech edge, Israel ties

Morocco has been steadily building up its military in recent years and in November reports surfaced that the North African country was in talks to acquire Turkish drones.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Xi Jinping president of China waves during the first working session as part of the G20 summit 2024 at Museu de Arte Moderna on Nov. 18, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

China's Xi Jingping in Morocco as Beijing eyes bigger role in Africa's infrastructure boom

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Morocco on Thursday as China wades deeper into Morocco's transportation and EV industries.

Latest News

Five global firms shortlisted in Morocco's controversial Western Sahara energy plans

An aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant, some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) outside the town of Ouarzazate, central Morocco, Feb. 4, 2016.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

As floods ravage Spain, Morocco utilizes disaster diplomacy, offers help

A man walks in a street covered in mud in a flooded area in Picanya, near Valencia, eastern Spain, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Middle East businesses lack clear climate guidelines, WEF report warns

A flare stack burns excess emissions at the Algiers refinery complex in the Algerian capital's southeastern suburb of Baraki, on Feb. 24, 2022.

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Hydrogen-powered car

King Mohammed IV launches Morocco's first hydrogen car

The development of the hydrogen-powered vehicle, due to be released in 2025, is a response to the rising global demand for sustainable cars.

Moroccan Prime Minister

Analysis

UK 'obvious choice' as Morocco seeks to diversify trade

In recent months, a flurry of partnerships have been announced between the countries in sectors including transport and renewable energy.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

This photo shows the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) firing during the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) as part of the annual naval exercises between the Philippine Marine Corps and US Marine Corps at Capas, Tarlac province on October 13, 2022. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: April 13, 2023, 7:28 am

US approves $524 million HIMARS artillery sale to Morocco

The proposed sale, which also includes guided air-to-ground bombs, comes as Morocco draws closer to the United States and rival Algeria pursues stronger ties with Russia.

Sunset shot showing a row of electricity pylons in the desert, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Getty Images)

Analysis

2022 in review: Saudi-China, Qatar-Germany deals cap Middle East's energy developments

Hydrogen power, oil price fluctuations and electric vehicles could feature prominently in the region in 2023.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Morocco's sole oil refinery in Mohammedia, near Casablanca, on June 22, 2019. - Three years after it was liquidated for racking up billions of euros worth of debt, Morocco's sole oil refinery and one-time economic flagship is struggling to attract a buyer and survive. A self-declared "national front" -- comprising employees, economists and union leaders -- is leading the charge to salvage refining company SAMIR, while a trade court desperately seeks a new owner. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo credit should read

Morocco, Tunisia to face bloated energy costs over 2023-2024

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Morocco fans look on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: December 15, 2022, 10:00 pm

Morocco loses to France, exits World Cup after heroic performance

Morocco became the first Arabic-speaking and African nation ever to reach the World Cup semifinals and has won over millions of fans across the world.

Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech of Morocco celebrate after the team's victory during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Morocco and France players, bound by friendship, face off at World Cup

Morocco beat expectations in Doha last week by becoming the first African and Arabic-speaking country to make it to a World Cup semifinal.

Morocco players celebrate after their win in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain at Education City Stadium on December 06, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: December 10, 2022, 3:10 pm

Morocco makes history advancing to World Cup semifinals

Morocco defeated Portugal on Saturday, becoming the first Arab and African nation ever to advance to the round of four in the world soccer championship. Today's game against Portugal has inspired jokes about the medieval Muslim conquest of Iberia.

Morocco's defender #25 Yahya Attiyallah waves his national flag as he celebrates with supporters winning on penalty shoot-out the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: December 6, 2022, 4:12 pm

Morocco defeats Spain at World Cup in Doha

Morocco was the only team from North Africa and the Middle East to advance to the round of 16, which won them a lot of support in both the Arab world and on the African continent.

Morocco soccer

Analysis

Morocco becomes only MENA team to advance in World Cup

Spain is the next opponent for Morocco, whose team comprises many players from Europe of Moroccan heritage. The team has also used their performance in Doha to display pro-Palestine solidarity.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

World Cup

Analysis

Iran, Saudi, other MidEast teams warm up in Qatar as World Cup approaches

Iran is looking to advance to the second round for the first time ever, but the team is mired in controversy over the protests in the country while host Qatar itself is facing criticism at home.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A Moroccan farmer walks past solar panels that are connected to a generator which feeds a pump extracting water from underground in Tafoughalt, a little village deep in the mountains of Morocco's eastern Berkane province, on October 31, 2016. As the Cop22 gets underway in Marrakesh, negotiators are thrashing out the details of a landmark global agreement designed to stave off disastrous climate change, but in Tafoughalt that impact is being felt already. Rising temperatures are among the factors making the

Morocco’s transition to renewable energies to accelerate amid high hydrocarbons prices

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business