Amid ambiguity over the background of the decision, the Kingdom of Morocco announced today the suspension of all communication mechanisms with the German embassy in Rabat.

A letter addressed by Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans residing abroad, to Saad Eddine El Othmani, Head of the Moroccan government, and also to its members, confirmed that this decision came due to a deep misunderstanding with Germany on fundamental issues of concern to the Kingdom of Morocco.

In this correspondence, Bourita called for the cessation of any contact or cooperation with the German embassy, ​​as well as German cooperation organizations and political institutions that have ties to the embassy.

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Sources from both the majority and the opposition revealed the presence of a political consensus to encourage the participation of Moroccans around the world in the electoral events to be held during the present year.

In view of the obstacles associated with creating electoral districts abroad, the leaders of political parties approved the proposal to nominate Moroccans around the world within the framework of national or regional lists within the front lines.

It was also reported that political bodies tend to allocate a percentage of electoral lists that will be agreed upon later for members of the Moroccan community abroad, ruling out the possibility of the Ministry of Interior accepting the proposal to “create a national list of candidates for the House of Representatives representing Moroccans abroad” or “replace the youth list with the community list.”

This February, the Coordination of Moroccan Parties Abroad continues its advocacy program on the political participation of Moroccans around the world, as it is expected that members of the Coordination will hold a series of meetings with the President of the House of Representatives, President of the House of Councilors, Presidents of parliamentary groups in both Houses, Minister of the Interior, as well as the Prime Minister.

As stated by Nezha El Ouafi, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, in charge of Moroccan expatriates, the government expresses its willingness to console Moroccans around the world, calling for a broad national debate about voting and nominating a community in which all institutions take part.

In a previous statement, El Ouafi also stressed “the need to reach a clear and integrated vision regarding the candidacy and voting process of Moroccans around the world, in order to create a national consensus and therefore ensure the implementation of Chapter 17, one of our country’s constitutional gains.”

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Morocco has closed its maritime borders until further notice. GNV France would have learned, with little certainty, that they will be reopened this Monday, February 8th. Meanwhile, GNV Italy has confirmed that Moroccan borders remain closed and that there may not be a Genoa – Tangier Med trip before February 25th, 2021.

Morocco could reopen its maritime borders starting from mid-February. Within this framework, authorities are working to set up a new maritime health protocol in order to guarantee health security for all travelers on board ships, but most importantly, to avoid any form of falsification of PCR tests.

In addition to presenting a negative PCR test less than 72 hours before boarding, this new health protocol requires all travelers to take a second PCR test once on board the ship.

Moreover, only travelers who have provided a valid reason for their trip will be authorized on trips to and from France and Morocco, with the possibility of transporting goods, if and only if France reopens its borders to everyone.

It appears that the various offices of shipping companies are not sure about the date for reopening Morocco’s maritime borders. This situation creates a situation of discomfort amongst Moroccans living abroad (MRE), especially in Europe (France and Italy) who wish to visit Morocco or return to Europe.

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A Moroccan youtuber residing in the United States was arrested on Saturday, February 6th, upon his arrival at the airport of Rabat. The person in question was the subject of an arrest warrant, issued by the Moroccan authorities, following the publication of defamatory and offensive videos,

Chafik Amrani, holder of American nationality, was wanted for the dissemination of videos containing remarks deemed offensive against constitutional institutions, national authorities and state officials, as stated by The King’s Prosecutor General at the Court of First Instance Casablanca.

The Prosecutor General states that the arrest was carried out in accordance with the formalities in force. “Following his arrest on Saturday, the man was taken into police custody and his family was informed of the date and grounds for his arrest.”

In a statement to the Alyaoum24 website, his brother Mohamed Amrani said family members were unable to visit him at the police premises on Sunday. They will have to wait until the day of trial, according to a police officer.

Investigation is still ongoing under the supervision of the General Prosecution, in full respect for legal procedures.

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In the match that brought the two teams together today ,Sunday, on “Ahmadou Ahidjo” stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, the Moroccan national team won the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for the second time in its history, after beating Mali  2 – 0.

Soufiane Bouftini broke the deadlock for Morocco in the 69th minute with a header after Omar Namsaoui’s superb cross.

Ayoub El Kaabi, putting the issue beyond any doubt, sealed it for the Atlas Lions with a second goal, 11 minutes before the end, with another header after a corner by Mohammed Ali Bemammer.

Morocco is now the first team to retain the title, in addition to joining the Democratic Republic of Congo in winning the cup twice.

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Morocco minister of education Saiid Amzazi received yesterday, Wednesday Feb 3rd, the ambassador of the French republic in Morocco Hélène le Gal in the ministry’s headquarters in Rabat.

During this meeting, the officials discussed bilateral cooperation issues, focusing on the achievements made within the framework of the “ASTRE” program dedicated to supporting education and training. The meeting also evolved around teaching the Arabic language and Moroccan culture to the Moroccan community living in France, in addition to the status of the French educational institutions in Morocco.

The meeting was also an opportunity to shed more light on the Moroccan-French Baccalaureate regarding the developments brought lately by the French side. the Moroccan minister, on a Facebook post, asserted that this branch has known for twenty years important development and tremendous success as it “attracted many students who have excelled in their academic and professional careers.

The meeting concluded that joint work should continue to reach a consensus formula that matches the latest developments in the French educational system and responds to the expectations of the kingdom.

On a final note, Le Gal expressed her country’s readiness to support the Moroccan educational system through keeping pace with the establishment of various projects, among which generalizing primary and inclusive education, and studying possibilities to start teaching the Amazigh language in the French schools in Morocco as a response to a proposal made by the ministry.

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Following the rise in new cases and an obvious necessity to reenable the global economy, “His Majesty the King has given His High Guidance for the launch, in the coming weeks, of a massive vaccination operation against Covid-19” according to a press release underlined by the Royal Cabinet on November 9. This directive aims to urgently launch a vaccination campaign that should reach the entire population over the age of 18 by the end of March 2021. In order to apply such policy, the first concrete step since the campaign’s announcement is finally taking place following the advisory commission’s opinion on January 4. Indeed, the Ministry of Health has just pushed the ignition button for the campaign on Wednesday January 6 for the emergency temporary use (for a period of 12 months) of the AstraZeneca vaccine developed by the AstraZeneca Laboratory and Oxford University under the commercial name “COVISHIELD”.

COVISHILED: a vaccine designed for a hassle-free distribution

The Swedish-British COVISHIELD vaccine has been used on a large scale since Monday in the United Kingdom – which has seen a sudden increase in new cases as well as a new strain of the virus in recent weeks – and has already been authorized in Argentina and India on December 30 and January 3 respectively. The COVISHIELD vaccine is aimed for the active immunization of people over 18 for the covid-19 prevention. This vaccine could be the first used by Morocco as part of the vaccination campaign, which should begin in mid-January according to a source close to the department of current Ministry of Health Khaled Aït Taleb.

Unlike the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, COVISHILED “can be stored and distributed at a temperature between 2 and 8°C, with an unopened vial validity period of 6 months”. This makes it a product particularly suitable for distribution and thus explains the choice of the authorities. It’s also important to mention that the vaccine will be imported as a finished product as the manufacturing and testing processes will be carried out in the Serum Institute of India (although the September 18 memorandum specified that the vaccine would be manufactured by the R-Pharm laboratory).

The vaccine’s administration specifications

With no surprise whatsoever, the vaccination process will necessarily shift firsthand towards front-line personnel, health personnel, public authorities, security forces and national education personnel; as well as to the elderly or weakened by concomitant pathologies.

According to the document released by the Ministry of Health regarding the authorization (posted by pharmacie.ma), the vaccination scheme consists of two separate doses of 0.5 ml. The second dose should be given between 4 and 12 weeks after the first injection. The vaccine should also be administered using the intramuscular method (preferably into the deltoid muscle).

As a side note, Morocco has already chosen vaccines from Sinopharm alongside the COVISHIELD to vaccinate the population. In total, the kingdom has ordered 65 million doses of vaccine, including 25 million AstraZeneca vaccines.

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In his last press conference held in Rabat, U.S. ambassador David Fischer expressed his heartfelt love and respect to Morocco. He stated that Morocco is “easy to love” and that the people are hospitable, and that the “warmth of Moroccan people is unmatched in the world”.

The ambassador asserted, in addition, that Morocco and the United States have had strong centuries-long mutual relationships which benefit both countries. The U.S., thus, support Morocco as the gateway to Africa.

Before leaving Morocco, Fischer expressed his certainty that the future of these unmatched relationships will always be in good hands. “the incoming Biden administration will nominate a highly qualified individual to hold [the U.S. ambassador to Morocco] post, and the friendship will grow and prosper” said the ambassador.

The ambassador, before leaving Morocco, stressed that the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Morocco will soon be 15 years; an event “worth celebrating” said Fischer.

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In the presence of the United States ambassador to Morocco David Fischer and his wife, the Minister of Foreign affairs Nacer Bourita, the Wali of Laâyoune Dakhla region and virtually government official Adam Boehler, an official visit was held this morning Sunday 10th January in Dakhla for the opening of an American consulate as a wavering support.

David Fischer expressed his interest in Dakhla describing it as elegant and beautiful. Mentioning the hospitality and warmth of the citizens, he also expressed his appreciation and pride for being the first ambassador ever to be in Dakhla, feel the Moroccan soil and to take this historical friendship further.

Moroccan FM Nasser Bourita stated the importance of today’s visit to the southern provinces after the historical inevitable and obvious statement made by Donald Trump where a recognition proclamation of Moroccan Sahara has been signed as a result of months of negotiations and that Morocco has the only just and lasting solution to resolve the faith of its territory.

“Every US president since Bill Clinton Has supported the Moroccan autonomy as a path to peace” said David Fischer, not denying that the US has been investing in the future of the southern region of Morocco since President Obama, focusing on job creation and strengthening civil society.

David Schenker in this visit, takes trumps proclamation and makes it a reality expanding the presence of the US government in the southern provinces. His majesty’s vision and Constant communication for the friendship that is made clear in recent meetings laid the path for today’s visit, “I give my sincere thanks to the king Mohammed VI without whom, from dedication to the US-Moroccan
friendship, this wouldn’t be possible and that was essential to make today’s visit possible” declared David Fischer.

The opening of the US consulate in Dakhla is also a starting point of future investments and part of the development and recognition of Morocco’s autonomy as Nacer Bourita affirmed, and what his Majesty King Mohammed VI aspired to within the framework of the new development model of the southern
provinces.

After a meeting with all of the ambassadors in Washington to explain the Moroccan situation, maps got updated to include southern provinces as part of the Moroccan soil all over US administration.

This position reinforces Morocco’s stand for the Sahara case. This support is part of an international dynamic for the integrality of the Moroccan Sahara, and Morocco will react rigorously to any threat to the safety of the country and its citizens.

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Morocco has strongly denounced Human Rights Watch hopeless attempts in tarnishing Morocco’s successful field and diplomatic achievements in promoting its territorial sovereignty in addition to overtly playing the Human Rights card to impose personal political views concerning the Moroccan Sahara while expressing false accusations about public authorities.

The Inter-ministerial Delegation for Human Rights has expressed in a communiqué that it has come to Moroccan authorities’ attention a Human Rights Watch Communique dating back to December 18th, 2020, adopting political views against Morocco’s territorial sovereignty and the latest constructive developments that Morocco has undergone.

In their communique, Human Rights Watch resorted to false accusations as usual lacking factual grounds in an attempt to establish a legal cover to its claims; thus, failing globally known methodologies of NGO’s neutrality and objectivity in dealing with Human Rights’ Issues.

The Delegation further added in this regard that Morocco’s Authorities strongly denounce Human Rights Watch stand regarding Morocco’s peaceful intervention in freeing Guerguerat Crossing to guarantee the safe flow of goods and civilians back in the area after long negotiations with UN secretary general concerning the protection of free movement of goods and civilians through the crossing.

The delegation further reminded that the Moroccan peaceful intervention to free the Guerguerat Crossing which has linked Europe to Africa for ages has witnessed a global support by the global community.

The Delegation further remarked that what makes the Human Rights Watch Communique politically oriented is its intervention with bilateral relations between countries and intervening in their territorial sovereignty. The Delegation further added that US recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara constitutes its continuous support for Morocco’s initiative for autonomous plan since its suggestion back in 2007 in front of the UN which is considered by UN Security Council as a valid and credible proposal.

The Delegation further added that Human Rights Watch proposed false accusations instead of addressing child abuse for political reasons by separatist Polisario instead of blaming Morocco which has legally intervened to protect children from any abuse. Human Rights Watch ignored separatist Polisario’s campaigns in abusing children in Tindouf Camps and using them to promote war and hatred.

The Delegation’s Communique concluded that Human Rights Watch request for MINURSU’s intervention in Human Rights in South Morocco in the pretext that the rest of Peacekeeping missions in the world undertake this mission is a propagation of false news. This is because watching human rights is assigned only to seven peacekeeping missions from fourteen, and in countries or regions witnessing conflicts or crimes part of the international humanitarian laws and not part of the International Human Rights Law.

In this regard, the delegation further reminded that watching human rights in Morocco’s southern area is assigned to the National Human Rights Council as an independent constitutional association whose regional delegations’ roles in Moroccan Sahara have been approved by successive reports issued by UN Security Council, the last of which is the 2548 report issued the end of October 2020.

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