US condemns Polisario Front attacks in Es-Smara, calls for end to 50-year conflict
via Le Matin6 min read
The US Mission to the United Nations has condemned attacks by the Polisario Front in Es-Smara, Morocco, targeting civilian areas. The Mission stated that these violent acts threaten regional stability and peace, and contradict the spirit of dialogue from recent discussions. The US emphasized the need to resolve the conflict over the Moroccan Sahara based on the October 2025 UN Security Council resolution, highlighting Morocco's autonomy initiative as a serious path to peace. The Mission urged all parties to engage constructively for a better future, stating that the status quo cannot continue. US Ambassador to Morocco, Duke Buchan III, commented on the attacks, noting that while American and Moroccan doctors provided medical care in Dakhla, those opposing peace launched missiles at civilian infrastructure. The US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, reiterated on April 29 the US recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Saharan territories and support for Morocco's autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution. Germany also expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty on April 30, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul affirming Germany's readiness to support economic development in the southern provinces. In April, a dozen other countries, including EU members, Austria, Ecuador, Zambia, Switzerland, Burundi, Gabon, and Honduras, also expressed support for Morocco's autonomy plan and sovereignty over the Sahara. T
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit held a meeting in Rabat with leaders and officials of political parties that have a parliamentary group or grouping. The meeting focused on preparations for the elections of members of the House of Representatives, scheduled for September 23. Participants were informed about the general framework for the electoral process, adopted regulatory texts, and decisions being developed regarding the financial accounting of political parties. Organizational measures related to preparing the national electorate, including the revision of general electoral lists starting May 15, were also discussed. Attendees learned about support mechanisms, administrative and logistical organization, and the launch of an institutional communication campaign across various platforms, including digital ones. The meeting also provided updates on the progress of the electronic platform for submitting candidacy declarations and the platform for establishing proxy votes for Moroccans residing abroad. A frank and constructive exchange of views took place on organizational and practical measures already implemented and those to be finalized before the election. Political party leaders expressed their commitment to contributing to the success of the upcoming legislative elections and upholding the Kingdom's democratic choice under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming journalism, necessitating a re-evaluation of media training, according to Abdellatif Bensfia, director of the Higher Institute of Information and Communication ISIC. Speaking at the international symposium of the Theophrastus Network, Bensfia emphasized that journalism schools must continuously adapt to professional expectations, societal changes, and technological advancements, advocating for annual pedagogical revisions. Mohcine Benzakour, ISIC's deputy director for pedagogical affairs and research, highlighted that AI challenges the core journalistic process, from information gathering and verification to storytelling and public engagement. He stressed the importance of training professionals who can critically examine their practices and ethical foundations. Enrique Klaus, a sociology of journalism professor at Université Côte d'Azur, noted that while newsrooms have adapted to several media shifts over 30 years, generative AI presents a different kind of transformation. Tasks traditionally assigned to interns, such as translations and research, are now automatable. Klaus cited a World Economic Forum study indicating that 41% of companies anticipate staff reductions within five years. He also pointed out that large language models, primarily trained on Anglo-Saxon data, perpetuate informational imbalances, echoing concerns raised by Tunisian diplomat Mustapha Masmoudi in 1978 regarding media monopolies. Languages like Fren
The "Tayibat" diet, promoted by Egyptian doctor Diaa Al Awadi, is causing significant concern within medical circles following its widespread dissemination on social media. This dietary protocol categorizes foods as either "pure" or "toxic," a distinction that contradicts established scientific recommendations.
Morocco's burgeoning tourism sector, which welcomed nearly 20 million tourists in 2025, a 14% increase from 2024, and generated 138 billion dirhams in revenue, faces the challenge of developing a new generation of hotel leaders. An "Hotelivate" study, presented at the 21st South Asia Hotel Investment Conference HICSA, highlights that current hotel leadership is largely characterized by professional maturity, with an average age of 57.3 years and 82% of leaders over 50. The average experience is 34.9 years, with 73% having over three decades in the industry. This operational focus is evident, as 93.2% of leaders have operational experience. However, the study indicates limitations in this model, with only 21.6% having financial experience and 18.2% in consulting, which may not suffice in a sector increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, market volatility, and climate concerns. Younger leaders show more diversified career paths, incorporating finance, sales, accounting, and consulting, suggesting a shift towards more hybrid skill sets. While hotel leadership remains loyal to organizations, with 32% working for fewer than three companies, younger leaders show slightly more mobility. Formal management training is less common among younger leaders 29% compared to seniors 43%, with 52% of all leaders having a hotel management background. The study emphasizes that for Morocco to sustain its tourism growth and enhance its offerings, it must cultivate leaders who are operat