West African bloc backs Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline
The Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline reached a major milestone as West African heads of state signed the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) governing the project during the ECOWAS summit in Freetown. Stretching nearly 6,800 kilometers, the pipeline will transport Nigerian natural gas along the Atlantic coast to Morocco before connecting to the European network. The agreement provides the legal framework for a project that has been nearly a decade in the making and reinforces Morocco’s ambition to become a strategic energy hub linking sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
Benin, Ghana and Mali reaffirm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity
Three West African states restated their positions this week: Benin backed Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in full, Ghana described Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only realistic basis for a lasting settlement, and Mali echoed both points, calling the plan the only credible route to resolving the dispute.
Death of a Moroccan national in Italy sparks protests and official concern
The death of Moroccan national Abderrahim Fakir in Bologna continued to draw attention this week. Morocco’s Embassy in Rome said it had been closely following the case from the outset and called for a thorough and transparent judicial investigation. The incident sparked demonstrations in the northern Italian city, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also called for the full truth to be established.
AI-powered smart patrol vehicles enter service
Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) began deploying its Moroccan-designed “Amane” and “Madar” smart patrol vehicles, first in Rabat before expanding the rollout to Casablanca. Equipped with artificial intelligence, real-time facial recognition, automated license plate recognition, and 360-degree surveillance systems, the vehicles are designed to enhance policing, improve traffic management, and support crime prevention. The DGSN said the project was developed entirely by its own engineering and technical teams and follows extensive testing and officer training.
Ibrahim El Assri elected Wydad Casablanca president
Ibrahim El Asri was elected president of Wydad Athletic Club following a runoff victory over Yassine Saadallah, bringing an end to a turbulent general assembly that saw members reject the outgoing board’s financial report and the resignation of the Hicham Aït Menna-led leadership. El Asri now takes charge as the Casablanca club seeks to restore stability on and off the pitch.
Casablanca strenghtens its bid to host the 2030 World Cup final
As debate over which city hosts the 2030 World Cup final intensifies, Spanish officials have grown increasingly vocal in lobbying for the Santiago Bernabéu, as the Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane—still under construction—has emerged as its strongest challenger on several technical measures. FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, will make the final call in consultation with Morocco, Spain and Portugal, likely closer to the tournament itself.
