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

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City Name

Rabat

Morocco

October 21, 2026

Rabat 9:50 pm

14°C

Fuel prices are displayed at a petrol station in Rabat

Explainer

Russian diesel heads to Morocco as supply crunch grips global markets

Gulf countries and Russia together accounted for almost 45% of global seaborne diesel and gasoil trade before the Iran war.

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Morocco's newly appointed head of government

Culture

Who is Fatima El Mansouri, Morocco’s first woman prime minister?

Her appointment marks the first time a woman has served as Morocco’s head of government and the second time a woman has held the position in the Arab world.

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner' aircraft

Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies

The move will mark the first time Morocco and Israel have exchanged ambassadors.

UDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Fueled by regional rivalries, Algeria severs diplomatic ties with UAE

Algiers accused Abu Dhabi of increasingly “provocative and hostile actions” after years of friction over Morocco, Western Sahara and competing regional interests.

Latest News

Analysis

FIFA in turmoil: Middle East takes center stage as Infantino fights to stay in power

Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, speaks to the media during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Press Conference at Mexico City Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Explainer

Estimated 60,000 migrants cross from Morocco into Spanish territory: What we know

Ceuta

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

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.

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.

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

Construction on the multibillion-dollar energy project, based in Dakhla in the disputed territory, is scheduled for completion in 2029.

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.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

The latest trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat was the last straw in the already shaky relations between Paris and Algiers.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

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

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

Relations between Morocco and Spain are warming after years of tensions, and a railway linkage project is gaining momentum.

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

Middle East businesses lack clear climate guidelines, WEF report warns

Middle Eastern and North African companies face increasing pressure from investors, regulators and global markets to strengthen transparency and adopt more sustainable business models.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI (C-R) and France's President Emmanuel Macron (C-L).

France, Morocco ink over $10B in deals during Macron visit

King Mohammed VI welcomed Macron to Morocco as part of a three-day visit by the French president in which around 20 deals were agreed upon.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

After years of diplomatic disputes, French President Emmanuel Macron is adamant on repairing ties with Morocco.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A high-speed Al-Boraq train at Casablanca Casa Voyageurs train station on March 15, 2019.

Analysis

What's behind China's deepening engagement with Morocco?

Morocco is becoming increasingly attractive to Chinese investors for a variety of reasons.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang (C) delivers his speech.

At Africa summit, China elevates ties with Libya, invests $14M in Egypt

The Sino-Libyan pact was announced Wednesday by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed al-Menfi at the FOCAC summit in Beijing.

The UAE's CEPA program continues to break new ground in Africa as we conclude the terms of a deal with Morocco.

Analysis

How Morocco-UAE economic agreement could usher in new era of bilateral trade

With its CEPA program, Abu Dhabi is not only expanding its network of trade and investment partners; it is getting closer to achieving its strategic goal of increasing its non-oil foreign trade.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Visitors view a Bayraktar TB3 Armed Unmanned Aerial System on display at the UMEX Exhibition showcasing drones, robotics, and unmanned sytems at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi on January 23, 2024. (Photo by Ryan LIM / AFP) (Photo by RYAN LIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco turns to Turkey for weapons imports as Israel ties strain over Gaza

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business