UN Security Council Resolution 2797 provides a roadmap to definitively close the Moroccan Sahara dispute, says ambassador
via Le Matin5 min read
Ambassador Hilale stated that UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025, is a political verdict and a roadmap to definitively resolve the Moroccan Sahara dispute. Speaking at the UN Committee of 24 session, he emphasized that the Security Council addressed the issue under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, focusing on peaceful dispute resolution and international peace, not decolonization. Hilale noted that Article 12 of the UN Charter designates the Security Council as the sole authority on this matter since 1991. He criticized the Committee of 24 for continuing to examine the issue with outdated parameters, despite the new dynamic brought by Resolution 2797 and the ongoing regional tour of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Moroccan Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, which included visits to Algiers and the Tindouf camps. The ambassador reiterated that the decolonization process of the Sahara concluded with its return to Morocco in 1975, following the Green March and the Madrid Agreement. He refuted attempts to frame the issue as one of decolonization, describing this interpretation as obsolete. Hilale highlighted that Resolution 2797 established the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the exclusive basis for a definitive settlement, dismissed the "polisario proposal," reaffirmed the abandonment of the referendum option, and confirmed the responsibility of the four parties: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the "polisario." He urged these p
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France secured a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening match of the World Cup 2026 Group I. The game remained tight for an extended period, characterized by a midfield battle and limited scoring opportunities. Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock for France in the 66th minute, finishing a play initiated by Michael Olise. Following the opening goal, Didier Deschamps' team increased their dominance, with Adrien Rabiot playing a crucial role in midfield. Désiré Doué, Mbappé, and Olise consistently pressured Senegal's defense, though goalkeeper Édouard Mendy made several key saves. Ousmane Dembélé was active in building play but did not create clear chances. Bradley Barcola, a substitute, scored France's second goal. In a dramatic finish, Ibrahim Mbaye scored for Senegal in stoppage time, only for Kylian Mbappé to immediately respond with his second goal, sealing France's 3-1 win. This victory gives France their first three points in Group I, while Senegal will need to perform well in their next match to maintain qualification hopes. The other Group I match will feature Iraq against Norway.
Artificial intelligence is becoming integrated into Moroccan consumer shopping habits, though it has not yet alleviated concerns about online payments. A study by Visa, in partnership with Bank Al-Maghrib and Switch Al Maghrib, found that 83% of Moroccan consumers have used AI tools for shopping assistance, primarily for price comparison, gift ideas, and product reviews. The study also revealed that 97% of respondents believe AI tools make online shopping faster and easier. However, this adoption does not translate to full trust, as only 23% of consumers would trust AI agents to finalize their orders. Social media plays a central role in new commercial uses, with 87% of Moroccan consumers having purchased products directly through these platforms. This trend, however, is associated with increased fraud risk, as 52% of financial scam victims in the past year reported the incident occurred on social media. Another concern is children's exposure to online scams, with 92% of consumers believing children struggle to recognize fraud, and 61% having witnessed a child fall victim to a scam while playing or shopping online. Consumers expect institutional responses to these risks, with 49% believing banks and financial institutions should be primarily responsible for online fraud protection, ahead of public authorities or regulators. Only 9% think consumers themselves should bear this responsibility. Real-time alerts for suspicious activity are seen as a key trust-building mechanism, c
Must ReadA study by "Les Citoyens" association, based on responses from 2,992 individuals across Morocco's twelve regions between January and April 2026, reveals a significant crisis of confidence in elected officials and public institutions. The sample, primarily urban, educated, and engaged citizens, shows that 90.4% believe elected officials do not honor their commitments. While 66.6% consider voting an important civic duty, only 13.6% find recent election results credible, with 56.3% rating their credibility poorly. Public institutions garner trust from only 8.3% of respondents, and 66.1% view them negatively. The study highlights a profound disconnect between political parties and citizens, with 79.5% reporting no relationship with parties, and over 88% believing parties do not genuinely care about citizens' concerns. Social media is the primary source of political information for 74% of respondents. The report identifies a "hard core of abstention," with 24.1% stating no proposed measure would convince them to vote. Lack of trust is the main reason cited for non-participation. Surprisingly, 18-24 year olds are the most willing to vote 49.8% positive intention, yet they are also the most critical of their representation in politics. Women also show a higher voting intention than men 49% vs 39.6%. To rebuild trust, citizens prioritize guaranteeing election integrity 47.5%, clear political programs 42.9%, more young candidates 40.6%, transparency in party funding 39.7%, and better