Uncertain resumption of US-Iran negotiations amid Middle East tensions
via Le Matin3 min read
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Islamabad after discussions with Pakistani officials regarding peace talks with the United States. This follows an initial round of direct talks in the Pakistani capital two weeks prior, which resulted in a temporary ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran. However, a second round of negotiations has not yet occurred. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected in Islamabad, where an Iranian delegation is also engaging with Pakistani authorities, though direct talks between the US and Iran are not guaranteed. Araghchi met with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, but the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that no meeting is planned between Iran and the United States. Meanwhile, the Iranian armed forces command, Khatam al-Anbiya, threatened military retaliation if the US blockade of Iranian ports continues, calling it "piracy." In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on Saturday in Yohmor al-Shaqeef, Nabatiyeh district, killed four people, despite a fragile ceasefire extension in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. A spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Defense claimed that Iran's military power is dominant and the US is seeking a way to save face from the war. A German minehunter is to be pre-positioned in the Mediterranean Sea for a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz after the Gulf conflict. Iran's judiciary announced the execution of a man convicted of cooperating with Israeli intelligence during Jan
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadMoroccan authorities have announced that starting April 27, 2026, Malian citizens will no longer require an Electronic Travel Authorization for Morocco AEVM. This decision, officially communicated by Rabat on April 23, follows discussions during Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita's visit to Bamako on April 10. The change means Malian travelers will only need a valid passport, adhering to standard entry conditions, and will no longer be subject to the prior online authorization previously required for some visa-exempt travelers. Malian authorities view this measure as a sign of renewed momentum in the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, expecting it to boost economic, commercial, and human exchanges. This development is part of a broader rapprochement between Rabat and Bamako, characterized by joint announcements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in areas such as mobility, training, and economic cooperation.
While global business bankruptcies are projected to rise, Morocco is experiencing a contrasting trend. After reaching a record 15,658 failures in 2024, the country saw a 2% decrease in 2025, bringing the total to 15,307 cases. Allianz Trade forecasts this improvement to continue, with 14,950 failures expected in 2026 and 14,300 in 2027. Despite this positive trajectory, the current level of business failures remains nearly 78% higher than the average observed between 2016 and 2019, prior to the pandemic.
The African Development Bank has approved a $510,000 grant for the Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority ACAPS to support financial inclusion in Morocco's insurance sector. This funding, provided through the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility, aims to promote the use of innovative technologies and improve access to insurance services, particularly for vulnerable populations. ACAPS will contribute an additional $170,000 to the project's implementation. The initiative seeks to develop solutions tailored for women and youth by enhancing the accessibility and clarity of insurance products. The program also includes technical and methodological support to facilitate the integration of InsurTech solutions into the market. It aims to remove barriers related to access, understanding, and use of insurance products, while assisting operators in adapting to sector changes. This intervention aligns with the national financial inclusion strategy, intending to strengthen the economic protection of targeted populations, broaden insurance offerings, and support the emergence of new distribution channels, with regulatory adaptation to innovation. The African Development Bank's office in Morocco stated that this support is part of efforts to promote digital innovation and financial inclusion. ACAPS highlighted that this partnership continues its actions to develop more inclusive insurance and strengthen access to services. The African Development Bank, present in Morocco
Morocco is one of the African economies least exposed to the repercussions of the Middle East conflict, according to a study by S&P Global Ratings. The country ranks 25th, the lowest exposure level, in a comparative table of all rated African sovereigns. This assessment is based on five equally weighted pillars: trade dependence on the Middle East, exposure to energy shocks, external vulnerability, available foreign exchange reserves, and public debt dynamics. Morocco's indicators are generally more moderate than those of several other African countries. The Kingdom imports 6.8% of its goods from the Middle East, below the African average of 11%, and directs only 1.1% of its exports to the region, compared to a continental average of 14%. Its net dependence on oil and gas trade with the Middle East is -5.8% of GDP, indicating limited direct exposure to the region's hydrocarbon flows. Fuel subsidies represent 1.4% of GDP. Its current account balance is -2.5% of GDP, with external financing needs corresponding to 89.1% of usable reserves and a net external debt of 13.8% of GDP, which are contained levels compared to other rated African sovereigns. Morocco has foreign exchange reserve coverage equivalent to 5.5 months of goods and services imports, above the continental average of about three months. It shows an annual inflation of 1.8%. Its net government debt is 64.1% of GDP, with an interest burden equivalent to 7.7% of public revenues, lower than the median observed in Afric