Morocco condemns weaponization of international maritime routes, calls for global action
via Le Matin3 min read
During a high-level open debate on maritime security, Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilale condemned the use of international maritime routes as tools for pressure and blackmail. He expressed deep concern over threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy artery, stating that no state has the right to hold the world hostage through its maritime passages. Hilale emphasized that seas are a common heritage for humanity, not bargaining chips. He strongly condemned attacks in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea by armed groups, calling them flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter. The Ambassador urged the international community to uphold its historical responsibility, asserting that geography should not be held hostage by ideology, nor maritime routes weaponized by countries that have pursued destabilization and interference for decades. Hilale highlighted that maritime security is a crucial pillar of international peace and security, as over 90% of global trade transits through seas and oceans. He noted Morocco's exceptional geographical position at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, and affirmed the Kingdom's commitment to international law of the sea and its contributions to regional and international maritime security. Hilale also mentioned King Mohammed VI's Atlantic Royal Initiative, which provides Atlantic access to Sahel countries, and the Process of Atlantic African States, which fosters maritime security
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Attijariwafa bank and its Club Afrique D茅veloppement have announced the launch of JamSalam, a pan-African artistic residency. Developed in collaboration with the group's African banking subsidiaries and the Attijariwafa bank Foundation, JamSalam aims to be a continental platform for intercultural dialogue, promoting exchanges among young African talents through a shared artistic project. The 2026 edition of JamSalam will take place in Tahannaout, Marrakech, from July 15 to 30, bringing together 15 young talents aged 20 to 35. The residency's theme is "In the name of Touma茂, hope for life," honoring Touma茂, the oldest known representative of the human lineage discovered in Chad in 2001. Works created during this collective residency will be exhibited at the next International Africa Development Forum, organized by Club Afrique D茅veloppement. An auction of these creations is also planned, with all proceeds donated to a community in need. The selected artists will form the JamSalam 2026 alliance, becoming part of the Attijariwafa bank Club Afrique D茅veloppement community.
The 2026 World Cup will feature six remarkable stadiums, each with unique architectural and technological features. The SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, inaugurated in 2020 at an estimated cost of $5.5 billion, boasts a transparent ETFE roof and a 900-ton, 360-degree "Infinity Screen by Samsung." The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, built for $1.6 billion and opened in 2010, will host the final on July 19, 2026, featuring a facade with color-changing aluminum louvers and an interior designed without columns for optimal visibility. Atlanta, Georgia's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, inaugurated in 2017, is noted for its retractable roof with eight metallic petals and a circular "Halo Board" screen, making it the world's first major stadium to achieve LEED Platinum ecological certification. The AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, opened in 2009, impresses with its monumental structure supported by 91-meter steel arches and central LED screens covering over 2,300 square meters, alongside 36-meter high retractable glass doors. Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, inaugurated in 1966 and renovated for 2026, is built on dried lava from the Xitle volcano and will be the first stadium to host three World Cups 1970, 1986, 2026, including the opening match of the 2026 edition. Finally, the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Monterrey, opened in 2015, known as "El Gigante de Acero," features an asymmetrical design inspired by a brazier, offering views of Cerro de la Silla, and a self-ventilat
Several Meta services, including Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, are experiencing widespread disruptions today. Since mid-afternoon, many users have reported being suddenly disconnected or encountering difficulties accessing their accounts normally. Initial reports indicate that the incident primarily affects web browser access, with users being redirected to login pages or receiving error messages when trying to access their news feeds, messages, or content. Mobile applications appear to be functioning more erratically depending on user profiles and regions. Reports quickly multiplied on specialized outage tracking platforms and on X, where users sought to confirm if the issue stemmed from their connection, device, or Meta's servers. The concentration of reports suggests a technical incident on the platform side, though its precise origin remains unknown. Meta has not yet provided an official explanation for the outage, so it is unclear if it is an authentication problem, a server incident, a web infrastructure malfunction, or a broader disruption affecting multiple group services. Users are advised to avoid repeated login attempts, check official Meta channels, and be wary of fake messages promising to "repair" account access, as phishing campaigns often exploit such confusion.