Morocco at the heart of the African struggle for narrative reappropriation and sovereignty
via Le Matin6 min read
The first Pan-African Media Forum, FOPAME, was held in Bamako, Mali, after a five-week postponement due to a terrorist attack on April 25, 2026. Morocco was the only country designated as the guest of honor. Salif Sanogo, President of the FOPAME Organizing Committee, emphasized the historical role of Africans as guardians of their own narratives, referencing the Kurukan Fuga Charter of 1236 and Timbuktu's Sankore University built in 1324. Bandiougou Dante, General Coordinator of FOPAME and President of the Mali Press House, opened the forum by honoring Mohamed Hamid Ciss茅, the forum's scientific committee president, who passed away on April 9. Dante also called for the release of journalist Youssouf Sissoko, the only Malian journalist imprisoned for his work. Major General Abdoulaye Ma茂ga, the Malian Prime Minister, delivered a politically charged opening speech, identifying three forms of terrorism facing Sahel states: armed, economic, and media terrorism. He advocated for a 21st-century pan-Africanism that is media, digital, and informational, and debunked "misconceptions" about Mali's transition, asserting its clear direction, broad African support, and the defensive nature of the Alliance of Sahel States. Professor Martin Faye's inaugural conference, "African Media in the Digital Age: Independence, Innovation, and Narrative Sovereignty," provided a conceptual framework. He discussed the end of the media's monopoly on information, the economic vulnerability of African medi
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The AUSIM猫tre 2026 report indicates an improvement in the cybersecurity maturity of Moroccan organizations, with the overall maturity index reaching 56% compared to 49% the previous year. This progress is attributed to strengthened governance and increased investments in cybersecurity. However, the report highlights persistent weaknesses in digital sovereignty, revealing that only 35% of organizations in Morocco have mastered this aspect. The findings suggest that while organizations are enhancing their cybersecurity measures, there is still a significant gap in achieving full digital sovereignty.
In accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, addressed to the Minister of Interior and the President of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Central Election Monitoring Commission was activated on Monday, July 20, at the Ministry of Interior. This activation aims to ensure the sincerity and integrity of the legislative elections for the election of members of the House of Representatives, scheduled for September 23, 2026. Provincial election monitoring commissions were also activated across various prefectures, provinces, and district prefectures, comprising the Wali or Governor and the King's Attorney General or the King's Prosecutor. Regional commissions were also established to support the work of the provincial commissions. The primary mission of these commissions is to implement practical measures to preserve and guarantee the integrity and sincerity of electoral operations. They will monitor all stages of the electoral process, intervening against any potential disruptions from the current phase until election day and the proclamation of results. The commissions will operate in strict adherence to current laws and regulations, without prejudice to the powers of legislative, judicial, and administrative authorities. To safeguard the integrity of the upcoming electoral process and protect the free choice of voters, these commissions will promptly identify electoral offenses and initiate investigations or legal proceedings as necessary. The Cent
Casablanca's new seawater desalination plant, the largest in Morocco, is scheduled to commence operations in February 2027, according to Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water. The project, launched in June 2024 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, represents an investment of approximately 11 billion dirhams through a public-private partnership. It is part of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027. The plant will initially produce 200 million cubic meters of water annually, expanding to 300 million cubic meters after an extension. Most of this production will supply drinking water to Casablanca and surrounding areas, with the remainder used for agricultural irrigation to reduce pressure on conventional water sources. This initiative addresses several years of drought and declining dam levels, particularly in the Oum Er-Rbia basin, a key water source for the Casablanca-Settat region. The plant will utilize reverse osmosis technology and be powered by a wind farm to minimize its carbon footprint and production costs, aligning with national energy transition and sustainable development goals. The project also includes seawater intake structures, treated water discharge facilities, pumping stations, storage reservoirs, a control and management center, and a water transport network. This plant is a cornerstone of Morocco's water security policy, which emphasizes diversifying water resources, constructing dams, reusing treated