France condemns Smara attack, reaffirms support for Moroccan autonomy initiative in Sahara
via Le Matin1 min read
France's diplomacy, in a statement issued on May 7, 2026, condemned the attack in Smara and called on the Polisario Front to respect the ceasefire and UN Security Council Resolution 2797. France also affirmed its support for negotiation efforts to end a conflict that has "lasted too long." The statement highlighted that "the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty paves the way for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable peace," adding that it constitutes, for Paris, "the sole basis" for achieving a solution. French authorities also called on MINURSO, in coordination with Moroccan authorities, to shed full light on these attacks, while commending the work of the UN mission in this context.
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Morocco is ranked 72nd out of 120 countries in the "Energy Transition Index 2026" report by the World Economic Forum, with a score of 54.5 out of 100. This places the country below the global average score of 57.3. The index evaluates the overall performance of energy systems and their capacity for a sustainable transition, considering factors beyond just clean energy production, such as robust networks, stable regulatory frameworks, sufficient funding, supply security, and skilled personnel. The index uses 44 indicators across two main areas: current energy system performance 60% of the score, which includes energy access, cost, supply security, and environmental sustainability; and transition readiness 40% of the score, which assesses regulatory frameworks, political commitment, infrastructure, financing, innovation, training, and human capital. Morocco scored 58.4 for current performance but only 48.6 for transition readiness, indicating a need to strengthen the foundations for accelerating its transition. Within Africa, Morocco is 5th among the countries covered by the index, behind Namibia, Tunisia, Gabon, and South Africa. Globally, Sweden leads the ranking for the third consecutive year, followed by Finland and Denmark. The report also notes a global slowdown in energy transition in 2026, with the average global score increasing by only 0.03%, and transition readiness declining for the first time in over a decade. This slowdown is attributed to geopolitical tensions, f
The Executive Bureau of the Democratic Confederation of Labor CDT met on June 17 in Casablanca and announced a national protest march for Sunday, June 28, in Casablanca. This decision marks a new phase of union action, driven by concerns over the rising cost of living, declining purchasing power, and increasing social tensions. The CDT criticizes the government for imposing the burden of the crisis on employees and the working class, and for managing social dialogue through "imposition and manipulation" rather than through institutional mechanisms that could lead to concerted solutions. The union asserts that the government has failed to address workers' "just and legitimate" demands and has undermined the prospect of a new social landscape based on equity, dignity, and social and territorial justice. The CDT aims to pressure for the implementation of existing agreements, improved living conditions for workers, an end to attacks on union freedoms, and the initiation of a comprehensive dialogue with representative organizations, particularly regarding the proposed law on the right to strike. The march seeks a general increase in wages and pensions, protection of incomes against inflation, adherence to previous social commitments, and the defense of union freedoms and the right to strike. The CDT also calls for safeguarding pension benefits and creating employment opportunities for young people. The union urges the government to fulfill its political and social responsibilities
Must ReadThe ongoing debate in Brussels regarding the future of the European automotive industry directly impacts Morocco. While seemingly an internal EU discussion aimed at protecting its manufacturers and value chains from China's rise, Morocco is central to this reordering. Its geographical proximity to Europe, integration into Renault and Stellantis production chains, and Chinese investments in batteries and electric components expose it to European decisions. Adil Zaidi, president of the Automotive Federation of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises CGEM, views this not as an immediate threat but as a shift from "happy globalization" to a "globalization of resilience," driven by successive crises. Europe's new strategy focuses on shortening supply chains and strengthening industrial autonomy, which has elevated Morocco's importance as a reliable, close production platform. Zaidi emphasizes that Morocco is no longer just a subcontracting hub but a recognized industrial platform with an installed capacity of over 900,000 vehicles, aiming for one million units soon. He argues that Morocco acts as an industrial buffer for Europe, offering competitive production costs that support European factories. This complementarity explains why major European manufacturers like Renault and Stellantis advocate for less rigid local content rules, proposing a 70% European content threshold, leaving 30% for partner countries like Morocco. Morocco seeks recognition of its local content as