🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
El Ouahdi and Boufal score, Mazraoui and El Aynaoui return to starting lineup for Atlas Lions
via Le Matin2 min read
Several Atlas Lions players delivered strong performances in Europe this past weekend. In Belgium, Zakaria El Ouahdi was named man of the match for KRC Genk, scoring a spectacular goal in the 68th minute and assisting another in the 71st minute during their 2-1 victory against Westerlo. El Ouahdi now has 12 goals and 4 assists across all competitions, establishing himself as a key defender in the Belgian league. In Ligue 1, Sofiane Boufal scored his first goal for Le Havre in the 13th minute against his former club Angers, marking his first goal in the French championship in over three years. Noussaïr Mazraoui and Neil El Aynaoui also returned to their respective starting lineups. Mazraoui played in central defense for Manchester United in their 1-0 win against Chelsea, demonstrating his versatility. El Aynaoui started for AS Roma in their 1-1 draw against Atalanta, marking his third start in 12 matches since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. These individual and collective performances are timely for the Moroccan internationals ahead of the 2026 World Cup. El Ouahdi expressed his ambition to participate in the World Cup, calling it a "childhood dream" despite strong competition for a spot on the national team.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
As Morocco approaches the 2026 elections, the political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with the "tazkiya" candidate accreditation process emerging as a pivotal factor. Experts indicate that the electoral battle is already underway, focusing on candidate selection rather than just the voting period. This shift is influenced by a new framework where public action is increasingly structured before elections, moving from a logic of promises to one of execution. Integrated territorial development programs exemplify this, emphasizing long-term, measurable objectives over short-term electoral pledges. This means major policy directions are set in advance, requiring political parties to adapt their strategies. The "tazkiya" process, while officially structured, often lacks transparency, leading to concerns about the selection criteria. Political science professors Mohamed Zineddine and Driss Kassouri highlight that parties strategically maintain opacity to protect candidates and avoid internal divisions, but this can also lead to the selection of influential local figures who may not align with modernization ideals. The electoral competition is thus seen as beginning with accreditation, shaping the quality of candidates and the depth of pluralism. The focus is shifting from programs to profiles, with voters increasingly prioritizing individuals capable of delivering results over abstract ideologies. This necessitates a professionalization of political action, w
Must ReadMorocco is experiencing a surge in cyberattacks, highlighted by recent incidents targeting the National Social Welfare Organizations Fund CNOPS and the Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion OFPPT, alongside an increase in fraudulent SMS messages related to traffic violations. These events indicate that cybercrime is becoming an everyday reality for citizens. One victim reported losing over 30,000 dirhams after clicking a fraudulent link disguised as a traffic fine payment, illustrating the sophisticated nature of these scams. Professor Youssef Bentaleb, president of the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation CMRPI, explains that cybercriminals target data for various purposes, from direct monetization of banking information to identity theft and social engineering using personal and administrative details. He emphasizes that the value of a database lies in the ability to exploit, cross-reference, and analyze information on a large scale, with banking details and professional account access being highly sought after on clandestine markets. Even email addresses and phone numbers retain significant value when exploited broadly. Stolen data circulates on dark web forums and encrypted messaging services, making traceability difficult. Professor Bentaleb notes that cybercrime is increasingly structured and industrialized, with specialized roles for intrusion, data extraction, resale, and exploitation. The emergence of "cybercrime-as-a-service" models an
Must ReadAn international symposium on artificial intelligence in education, held in Salé on April 15 and 16, addressed the integration of AI without exacerbating educational inequalities. Organized by the Zakoura Foundation under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the event brought together public decision-makers, researchers, and field actors. Discussions highlighted AI's potential for personalized learning, content adaptation, precise evaluation tools, and teacher support. However, concerns were raised about the risk of widening existing disparities due to unequal access to digital infrastructure, equipment, and teacher training, particularly in rural areas. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, emphasized the historical responsibility societies face with AI, urging a rethinking of educational models and investment in human capital. Mohammed Fikrat, president of the Zakoura Foundation, stressed that the issue extends beyond technology, focusing on the conditions for relevant and responsible integration. He noted that the effectiveness of AI depends on its integration into pedagogical practices and appropriate support policies. The symposium concluded that AI can be a powerful tool for improving learning, provided that equity and the central role of humans in education remain paramount. The Zakoura Foundation, which has supported over 2 million beneficiaries since 1997, advocates for an approach rooted in loc
Must ReadA report by the Prometheus Institute for Democracy and Human Rights IPDDH and the Civil Council for the Fight Against All Forms of Discrimination CCLD revealed how social media exacerbated stereotypes during the CAN 2025 football tournament. A minor on-field incident during the Morocco-Senegal final, involving equipment, was distorted into a widespread narrative on social media, leading to collective dehumanization. This incident, initially about a towel, escalated into a political issue, transforming 40 seconds of play into a collective stigma. The report, presented on April 17, 2026, in Rabat by Zineb El Jouak of IPDDH and Yasmine Boutaïb of CCLD, highlights an intersectional approach where various forms of discrimination, particularly against women, people with disabilities, and migrants, were amplified. The organizations aim to provide practical recommendations to decision-makers, emphasizing that while sport can foster social cohesion, it can also magnify existing inequalities if prevention mechanisms are not integrated into governance. The report documented 20 points of concern before, during, and after the competition, concluding that sport acted as a catalyst for pre-existing social tensions. For example, Senegalese workers in Morocco were dismissed after the final due to their nationality, and a viral campaign called for the expulsion of sub-Saharan migrants. The report also detailed how manipulated AI-generated content, such as videos sexualizing women, amplified ge