The Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM), site of the first American public property outside of the US, presented by the King of Morocco in 1821, it commemorates the longest standing US Treaty of Friendship & Peace (since 1786) and continuing partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco. TALIM

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“The Legation’s tales never cease to fascinate.”

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Gerald Loftus, TALIM Director

Gerald Loftus, TALIM Director’s blog
February 11, 2014

Paraphrasing comic Dave Barry, Legation Lions would be a good name for a football team…

No, the “Legation Lions” refers to the rather cumbersome gifts that Presidents used to given by Moroccan Sultans back in the 1800s.

And the poor Tangier consuls who had to deal with the furry beasts.

From the US State Department Office of the Historian:

In 1834, the Sultan presented Tangier US Consul James Leib with a lion and two Arabian horses as gifts for the President.

He had to house the lion until he could persuade his superiors to transport it and the horses to the United States.

After much debate, Congress passed a resolution calling for the animals to be sold at auction.

The “Numidian Lion” fetched $3,350, with the proceeds being divided between two Washington orphanages.

His successor Thomas Carr was faced with a similar quandary:

The Sultan of Morocco presented Carr with two lions and two horses.

Congress passed another resolution authorizing the President to “dispose in such time and manner as he shall see fit of all such of the presents as cannot conveniently be deposited or kept in the Department of State, and cause the proceeds to be placed in the Treasury of the United States.”

The animals were duly sold when they arrived in Philadelphia in 1840.

For years, the scanned letter where Carr plaintively writes of lions eating him out of house and home on his meager Consul’s salary has enchanted Legation museum visitors.

Especially amusing is the “gift you can’t refuse’ aspect: giving the lions back would result in the messenger’s decapitation. Not an option for a Consul with a conscience.

The previous scans’ sickly green hue (maybe it was the early scan technology) finally became an eyesore, and we vowed to put up more presentable images.

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Enter Kristen Kouttab and the Moroccan American Cultural Center in Washington.

With her colleague Dave Bloom, they went to the US National Archives in College Park Maryland and, with the help of friendly NARA archivist David Langbart, located the original letter and took these stunning photographs.

We only regret that we don’t have an action photo of Dave Bloom climbing on tables and chairs to get the right shot in challenging lighting conditions.

The National Archives contain the “lion letter” and other treasures of American history that are there waiting for other Legation friends to exploit.

There’s even an exhibit (sans lions) of famous gifts to US Presidents.

We greatly appreciate Kristen, Dave, and MACC help on getting this piece of American history in Morocco.

Now, we’ll get the five sheets of the letter properly framed, as well as the beautiful but slow-to-read 19th century cursive handwriting transcribed for museum visitors.

Perhaps it was the pressure of dealing with successive sets of lions, but Leib and Carr later succumbed to Demon Rum and exhibited rather odd behavior on Zankat Amrika, recounted in our previous blog post on Crazy Consuls.

The Legation’s tales never cease to fascinate.

Gerald Loftus

The post The Return of the Legation Lions – Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies, Gerald Loftus appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

A man reads a book at the National Library of Morocco, Rabat, Nov. 4, 2011. Photo by Abdelhak Senna/AFP/Getty Images

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Al-Monitor (February 17, 2014) — The National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco is tracing the journey of the great scholars of the medieval Muslim world through a collection of works never before exhibited.

The national library is filled with priceless treasures, as it is proving once again. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the library is presenting a series of unpublished documents recounting the journey of nine great scholars and globetrotters of Islam.

The exhibition, “Geographers and Travelers of the Muslim Maghreb World from the 12th Century to the 17 Century,” brings together books, manuscripts, prints and lithographs describing the journeys of famous explorers such as Abu Salem al-Ayyaichi, Hassan al-Wazzan (the famous Leo Africanus), Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta.

“All of these books are rare. They are not unique, but there are only a few copies around the world,” said Naima Keddane, head of the monograph department and curator of the library’s collections. These authentic historical gems were inherited from the previous library, the General Library of Archives, which was created in 1924. It is difficult to learn more about how these books were passed on. How they landed on the shelves of the library remains a mystery.

“What really matters now, since they are in our hands, is showing their value to the public and the possibility that researchers can consult them,” Keddane said.

Valuable testimony

Among the masterpieces of this exhibition is a manuscript entitled al-Rihlah al-Maghribiyyah, written in 1289. It recounts the pilgrimage of al-Abdari, a traveler born in the Haha tribe in the Essaouira region, to Mecca. The exhibition also contains an 1898 lithograph of the work of Hajji Abu Salim al-Ayyashi, a theologian [and travel writer] from the Middle Atlas region [who lived from 1628-1679]. “In both cases, it consists of a rihla hijagiya, a travelogue mainly focused on spirituality and religion,” said Keddane.

“The rihla is a literary genre divided into several categories. For instance, the work of Ibn Battuta is much more focused on geographical and ethnological observations. His pilgrimage was an opportunity to go further and meet different cultures and customs.”

Another gem concerns the renowned Ibn Khaldun, namely, al-Rihla, Gharbân wa Sharqan (The West and East Trip), a book written in the 20th century by Mohamed Ibn Taouit Ettanji, who describes and discusses the wanderings of the scholar [who lived from 1332-1406].

“This is something new. Ibn Khaldun was better known as a historian or precursor in sociology than as an explorer,” said Keddane.

Finally, the library is exhibiting a particularly valuable Cosmographia of Africa manuscript by Hassan al-Wazzan (Leo Africanus), dating to 1556. It remains “the only source of information on the life, manners and customs of Africa of the 16th century.”

A long-term undertaking

The library includes many rich publications that required hard work. Indeed, the rarity of a book can only be proved after long research and if it meets several criteria. For example, one should check whether the document exists in other libraries around the world, estimate the intellectual value of the document, evaluate its circulation and be certain of its age.

“These conditions vary by country. For example, printed works from the 19th century are not necessarily considered rare in Europe since the printing press appeared in the 17th century, while the opposite is true in Morocco, where printing presses appeared in 1865,” explained Keddane. … The library also has unique documents concerning the history of Algeria and Tunisia.

The exhibition continues until Feb. 15 at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, in Rabat.

The post Morocco Exhibits Rare Middle Eastern Literary Works – Al-Monitor appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is welcomed by Malians Tuesday as he arrives in Bamako, where he was joined by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (right).  The King’s official visit to Mali is the first leg of a new African tour that will also take him to Guinea Conakry, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon. MedAfrica Times, Photo: MAP

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* The visit translates Morocco’s resolve to position itself as a key player in Africa not only on the political and geo-strategic scales, but also on the economic, social, cultural and spiritual levels. *

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MedAfrica Times, by Hafid El Fassy (February 19, 2014) — Morocco’s King started on Tuesday an official visit to Mali, the first leg of a new African tour that will also lead him to Guinea Conakry, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon.

The royal visit, the second in less than a year, translates Morocco’s commitment to Africa and its determination to upgrade the country’s relations with these states, part of its keen interest to promote South-South cooperation, as well as its resolve to position itself as a key player in Africa not only on the political and geo-strategic scales, but also on the economic, social, cultural and spiritual levels.

This keen interest in the continent’s development is nothing new, since Morocco cancelled as early as 2000 all the debts of the poorest African countries and exempted their products and goods from customs duties. It likewise repeatedly expressed determination to foster cooperation and partnership with African countries, to help fulfill the aspirations of African peoples to development and stability and to uphold the continent’s causes.

Morocco has tirelessly endeavored to strengthen and diversify its economic relations with Africa and to encourage investments, at the institutional level as well as at the level of the private sector which injected significant investments in several sectors (banking, telecom, housing, insurance, mining etc.)

Several outstanding Moroccan groups like Maroc Telecom, the National Water and electricity Office (ONEE), Attijariwafa Bank, la Banque marocaine du commerce extérieur (BMCE), Addoha and Alliance housing groups, or Saham Group which controls one of Morocco’s biggest insurance companies, CNIA Saada, are operating in more than twenty sub-Saharan countries.

Like the King’s previous African tours, this new trip will be crowned by the signing of a series of economic cooperation agreements, mirroring the strong commitment of a King and of a country to give a boost to a mutually beneficial economic partnership.

The new royal visit also highlights the Kingdom’s role and contribution to international efforts to resolve crises in Africa, such as was the case in Mali.

Actually when France intervened in Mali to chase out terrorist groups from the northern parts of the country in January 2013, Morocco did not hesitate to lend military and logistical assistance to French troops and initiated many solidarity actions to relieve the Malian people, shipping humanitarian assistance to Malian refugees and displaced persons in Mali and in neighboring countries, mainly Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania or deploying a military field hospital in capital city Bamako.

Few months later, in September, after presidential elections were held in Mali, King Mohammed VI flew to Bamako to attend the inauguration of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and renew his backing and personal involvement in the reconstruction and stabilization process of the African country which is going through a particularly important stage in its history.

The new royal tour will reaffirm Morocco’s commitment to Africa, a commitment based on a shared history and on shared aspirations.

Author

Hafid El Fassy is the business Editor & Comumnist   A Financial Engineer from Paris-Jussieu & Dauphine Universities, he started in Project & Trade Finance in 1993 before being a Global Emerging Markets Speculative and ALM Trader.  Since 2004, he has provided business development/financing advisory for Moroccan Real Estate, Banking, Trade and Tourism projects to top tier Institutions.

The post King’s African Tour, New Token of his Strong Commitment to the Continent – MedAfrica Times appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

Justin Timberlake to open 2014 Mawazine music festival in Rabat, Morocco on May 30th. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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* Timberlake will perform May 30th on Rabat’s OLM Souissi stage, marking his first performance in Morocco. *

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Variety, by Nick Vivarelli (February 19, 2014) — Justin Timberlake will be the opening act of Morocco’s 13th Mawazine World Rhythms Festival held annually in Rabat.

The world music extravaganza features local artists and international acts which in past years have included Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, and Rihanna.

The post Justin Timberlake To Open Morocco’s 2014 Mawazine Music Festival – Variety appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

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* “Both the fears shared by America and France about Africa and the hopes they vest in the continent require a local partner—a beachhead of stability, goodwill and expertise—which can help meet the challenges Africa faces as well as benefit from its long-term promise…That country is undoubtedly the Kingdom of Morocco.” *

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Ahmed Charai, publisher of the Moroccan weekly news magazine L’Observateur

Ahmed Charai
The National Interest
February 20, 2014

By most accounts, French president Francois Hollande had a successful visit to Washington last week. From my perspective, one of the most promising public outcomes was an op-ed piece, signed by Hollande and President Obama in Washington Post, in which they conveyed together their hopes as well as their fears about the future of Africa.

On the one hand, Africa below the Sahara is a rapidly growing market of more than eight hundred million people with enormous potential for profitable business and investment—by American and European entrepreneurs as well as others.

Last year, US Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson observed that “seven of the ten fastest growing economies in the world are located in Africa today.” France and the United States each have strengths and weaknesses on the continent in terms of the potential to take advantage of these opportunities: France, by virtue of its long colonial history on the continent, has greater expertise than the United States as well as a larger human network—but some African countries have reservations about French engagement due to bitter memories of colonialism. The United States has never occupied an African state—and to the contrary, participated in the liberation of much of North Africa from Nazi hegemony during World War II. But it is weaker in terms of expertise and access to the continent. Both countries, to be sure, need more partners on the ground and need to make greater efforts to foster goodwill with African publics.

On the other hand, the African continent, particularly its northwest, is politically unstable—wracked by ethnic and sectarian violence and failed or failing states. As Americans know well, the northern section of the volatile state of Mali—that is, a portion of the country roughly the size of France—fell into the hands of Al Qaeda for months last year.

It was an unprecedented achievement for the terrorist group—a nucleic Al Qaeda jihadist state—requiring urgent and immediately countermeasures from the West. The French armed forces played a vital role in liberating it, with crucial support from the United States. But both countries are aware that going forward, Mali and other countries nearby need to be secured by indigenous African armies. Nor is there a permanent military solution for the threats these countries face: In the long run, economic development and sweeping counter-radicalization strategies are necessary to drain the swamps in which jihadism festers.

In sum, both the fears shared by America and France about Africa and the hopes they vest in the continent require a local partner—a beachhead of stability, goodwill and expertise—which can help meet the challenges Africa faces as well as benefit from its long-term promise. It must be a country nearby, with a human network spanning the continent, a strong military capacity, human and economic development expertise, and the ability to rekindle the flame of Islamic moderation and tolerance which jihadists strive to extinguish.

That country is undoubtedly the Kingdom of Morocco.

In recent years, Morocco has achieved a breakthrough in sub-Saharan Africa.

The policies of King Mohammed VI are based on three planks: support for the democratic process, partnership for human development and respect for cultural differences. In the struggle against terrorism, Morocco offers a unique form of support for Islamic tolerance: the king’s status of “Amir al-Mu’mineen”—“Commander of the Faithful”. A direct descendant of the prophet Mohammad, he is also the scion of a North African dynasty that helped export Islam to Africa south of the Sahara. It was an Islam of openness to local cultures and traditions, as well as to other faiths and spiritual systems. It is a gloss on Islam still embraced by Tijanis in Mali and numerous other Sufi orders and denominations within the faith.

On the basis of these fundamentals, Morocco intends to build fruitful relationships with its African brethren. It has economic tools at its disposal, built up over years: Moroccan banks; expatriate communities ingrained in mercantile life and the local languages and cultures. Agreements between Moroccan and sub-Saharan African businesses and institutions have been reached across a variety of sectors, notably water and health services. Moroccan telecommunications and construction companies have established a business presence in countries throughout the continent.

The fact that the king has visited Mali twice in two months underscores the priority the kingdom places on southward engagement. The training of five hundred imams in Moroccan religious seminaries reflects the kingdom’s desire to strengthen the fabric of Islamic culture in Mali as well as counter radicalism. The kingdom itself is also home to tens of thousands of students from Mali and neighboring African states—as well as migrant workers—making it a source of remittances as well as education for human development. Such activity initiated by the king also transcends the borders of Morocco and Mali: In the course of his visit last year to Senegal, Gabon, and Ivory Coast, he engaged the leaders of the Senegalese Tijani Sufi order, who regard Morocco as a fulcrum of their spiritual world. He has pledged to support this community through thick and thin.

Meanwhile, in the realm of business and economics, Morocco is omnipresent across the continent, with a banking network spanning twenty African nations and a web of interlocking expatriate communities who know the local cultures, business practices and opportunities. Trade with African countries to Morocco’s south is now poised to eclipse that with the United States itself. And through human-development projects ranging from rural electrification to medical and pharmaceutical aid, Rabat has helped Africans fight disease and integrate their societies into the global village.

This combination of goodwill, religious inspiration, hard power, and business acumen can serve the United States as well as France in their aspirations to more deeply connect with Africa. “Triangular” investment and trade programs—whereby the US or France builds on Moroccan business expertise to create profitable projects in a third, sub-Saharan country—are a suitable design to enable Morocco and its Western partners to fill in each other’s missing pieces. Through enhanced military partnership, Morocco can serve as a conduit for training and a collaborative architect for new security systems to stabilize fragile states. And Western support for Morocco’s exportation of Islamic tolerance can increase the magnitude of its efforts and help score a decisive, peaceful victory against jihadism.

This coming August in Washington, President Obama will host a summit for African leaders in Washington to help strengthen ties, as a White House spokesperson said, “with one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions.” Moroccans look forward to doing everything they can to facilitate the success of the summit—as participants, facilitators and partners with African leaders as well as their peoples throughout the continent.

Ahmed Charai is publisher of the Moroccan weekly news magazine L’Observateur; Chairman and CEO of MED Radio national broadcast Network and chairman of the daily newspaper Al-Ahdath al-Maghrebiya. In the United States, he sits on the board of directors of the Atlantic Council of United States and the board of trustees of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as well as the board of trustees of the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He is a member of The National Interest’s Advisory Council.

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Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita preside over signing 17 different bilateral cooperation agreements Thursday in Bamako. Photo: MAP

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*Morocco-Mali agreements promote investment, industrial cooperation, air services, trade, health services, telecommunications, job training, natural resource and drinking management, and more*

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Maghreb Arab Press (Bamako, Mali, February 20, 2014) — Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita chaired, on Thursday at the Koulouba presidential palace in Bamako, the signing ceremony for seventeen different bilateral cooperation agreements.

The signing of these agreements, which marks the strong commitment of the public and private sectors, mirrors the shared will by both leaders to forge ahead with the reinforcement of relations between Mali and Morocco.

King Mohammed VI greets Malians with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Photo: MAP

It is also part of the royal integrated approach towards Africa which puts the human capital at the center of the development process and objectives, on the basis of an equitable sharing of the development’s benefits.

These agreements show King Mohammed VI’s commitment to fostering an active, solidarity-based south-south cooperation, which the sovereign made a basic component of Morocco’s foreign policy to serve the interests of the brotherly African peoples.

They also seek to promote human development programs given their direct impact on improving Malians’ living conditions and give momentum to economic cooperation.

They are:

• The agreement on investment encouragement and reciprocal protection, signed by Moroccan Economy minister Mohamed Boussaid and Malian counterpart Bouaré Fily Sissoko.
• The agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the fight against tax evasion. It was signed by Moroccan Economy minister Mohamed Boussaid and Malian counterpart Bouaré Fily Sissoko.
• The cooperation agreement on breeding which was signed by agriculture minister Aziz Akhannouch and rural development minister Bokary Treta.
• The agreement on air services signed by equipment minister Aziz Rebbah and Malian peer Abdoulaye Koumaré.
• The protocol on industrial cooperation signed by Industry, trade, investment and digital economy minister Moulay Hafid El Alami and minister of industry and mining Boubou Cissé.
• The cooperation agreement between the Moroccan center for exports’ promotion (Maroc Export) and the Casablanca Fairs and Exhibitions Office (OFEC), and the Malian trade and industry chamber (CCIM). It was signed by Industry, trade, investment and digital economy minister Moulay Hafid El Alami and Trade minister Abdel Karim Konaté.
• The twining and cooperation agreement between Ibn Sina university hospital center of Rabat and Hospital G university hospital center of Bamako. It was signed by Health minister El Houssine El Ouardi and minister of health and public hygiene Ousmane Koné.
• The twining and cooperation agreement between Ibn Rochd university hospital center of Casablanca and Gabriel Touré university hospital center of Bamako. It was signed by Health minister El Houssine El Ouardi and minister of health and public hygiene Ousmane Koné.
• The cooperation specific protocol in the mining, oil and gas fields which was signed by Minister of energy Abdelkader Amara and minister of industry and mining Boubou Cissé.
• The partnership agreement between Morocco’s Groupe Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) and Mali’s ministry of economy, finance and budget which was signed by CEO of BCP Mohamed Benchaaboun and minister of economy, finance and budget Bouaré Fily Sissoko.
• The agreement on the change of indirect control of Sotelma (Maroc Telecom) which was signed by head of the board of directors of Maroc Telecom Abdeslam Ahizoune and minister of communication and new information technologies Jean Marie Sangaré.
• The memorandum of understanding of cooperation on industrial areas between the MEDZ company and the Malian industry ministry. It was signed by head of MEDZ’s board of directors Omar El Yazghi and minister of industry and mining Boubou Cissé.
• The agreement between the Malian government and the Addoha Group which was signed by Addoha Group’s CEO Anas Sefrioui and minister of industry and mining Boubou Cissé, and minister delegate for the promotion of investment and private initiative Moustapha Benbarka.
• The protocol of cooperation agreement on vocational training which was signed by director general of the office of vocational training and labor promotion (OFPPT) Laarbi Benchekh and director general of the support fund for vocational training and apprenticeship (FAFPA) Mohamed Al Bachar Touré.
• The cooperation agreement between the national office for electricity and drinking water (ONEE) and Malian company for drinking water management (SOMAGEP-SA). It was signed by director general of ONEE Ali Fassi Fihri and CEO of SOMAGEP-SA Boubacar Kané.
• The cooperation agreement between the general confederation for enterprises in Morocco (CGEM-employers’ body) and Mali’s national council of employers (CNPM) which was signed by president of CGEM Meriem Bensalah Chaqroun and president of CNPM Mamadou Sidibé.
• The agreement between Mali’s international bank and the national union-cooperative company for Malian cotton producers (UN-SCPC). It was signed by CEO of Attijari Wafabank Mohamed Kettani and president of UN-SCPC Bakary Togola.

This ceremony was attended by King Mohammed VI’s advisers Taib Fassi Fihri, Fouad Ali El Himma, and members of the Moroccan delegation accompanying the sovereign in this visit to Mali.

The post Morocco King & Mali President Chair Signing of 17 Bilateral Cooperation Agreements – MAP appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

Hundreds of Imams from Tunisia, Libya, Mali and Guinea–Conakry will learn how Morocco manages mosques, such as Hassan II in Casablanca. Photo: AFP/Abdelhak Senna

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“We will train these imams according to the principles of Islamic moderation & tolerance”

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Magharebia, by Mohammed Saadouni (Casablanca, Morocco, February 20, 2014) — Imams from Libya, Tunisia and Guinea-Conakry will soon follow their peers from Mali and receive training in Morocco. While in Bamako last September for the inauguration of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, King Mohammed VI of Morocco offered to train 500 Malian imams.

The fledgling program “aims at combating religious extremism,” Malian Religious Affairs Minister Thierno Amadou Omar Hass Diallo said Tuesday (February 18th) during the Moroccan monarch’s latest visit to the country. “We are Morocco. We have shared an open, convivial and tolerant Islam. We also share the divine word,” Diallo said.

The Moroccan ambassador to Bamako noted: “We share with Mali the Maliki School.  There is perfect harmony between us in terms of training imams as well as in terms of religious practice which reflects moderate Sunni Islam,” Hassan Nassiri added. “We will train these imams according to the principles of Islamic moderation and tolerance,” the ambassador confirmed.

Following the 2003 Casablanca suicide bombings, Morocco began restructuring the religious domain, said Idriss Kanbouri, a professor and researcher of Islamic affairs. “It focused on training imams, religious guides and preachers, and on developing a strategy to adjust and organize mosques,” Kanbouri told Magharebia.

The initiative was duly noted by Morocco’s Maghreb neighbors. Last Wednesday, the Moroccan Ministry of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs received formal training requests from Tunisia and Libya.

The countries aim to benefit from the Moroccan experience in building and running mosques, as well as for training courses in the field of management of religious affairs and moderate Islamic discourse.

As Cheikh Abdelbari Zemzami of the Moroccan Jurisprudence Studies Society pointed out, “Morocco was known since ancient times for moderation in dealing with religion.”

Tunisia’s new prime minister hailed Morocco’s strategy of involving religious teachers in the fight against extremism. During his visit to Rabat last week, Mehdi Jomaa praised “the special attention that His Majesty the King paid to the request of the Tunisian government on strengthening co-operation in the religious sphere, particularly in the area of training Tunisian imams in Morocco”.

Tunisian Religious Affairs Minister Mounir Tlili also expressed his deep gratitude to the monarch for offering the training.

Under the Moroccan program, visiting imams will study the Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic sciences and Arabic. Classes in history, geography, the history of Islam, human rights, mental health, media and astronomy will also be provided to the foreign imams.

The post Morocco to Train Tunisia, Libya Imams – Magharebia appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

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Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The signing of 17 bilateral cooperation agreements in Bamako Thursday heralds a new era in relations between Morocco and Mali, said Head of State of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. MAP

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* 17 Agreements to Boost Malian Economy, Human Development Signed During King’s Visit *

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MACP (Washington, DC, February 21, 2014) — Yesterday in Bamako, Mali, on the first leg of a four-nation trip to deepen Morocco’s relations and promote peace, progress, and stability in Africa, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI presided with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita over the signing of 17 bilateral cooperation agreements.

The agreements, signed by Moroccan Ministers and private sector leaders with their Malian counterparts, are designed to provide assistance to Mali in promoting financial and human development and sustaining an improved quality of life in the country.

They focus on a broad range of matters, including among others:  investment; tax regulation; agriculture and rural development; industrial cooperation and trade; mining, oil, and gas; and health initiatives.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita chaired the signing of 17 different bilateral cooperation agreements. Photo: MAP

“Morocco has long been a leader in promoting stability and economic success in Africa by providing its technological know-how, training, and financial services,” said Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel, who served as US Ambassador to Morocco from 1997-2001.

“These agreements signed in Bamako clearly demonstrate the King’s and Morocco’s continuing commitment to further deepening its relations, as well as advancing progress and stability, in Mali and the region.”

This visit to Mali marks the second in less than six months for King Mohammed VI. In September, the King traveled to Mali for the signing of an agreement to send 500 Malian imams to Morocco over the next two years for training in using Morocco’s moderate and tolerant form of Islam to help fight the spread of extremism.

The first 100 imams from Mali have already begun training in Morocco.

Last week, the Moroccan Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced that King Mohammed VI has agreed to similar requests from Tunisia, Guinea, and Libya for cooperation on religious matters, including providing training in Morocco for imams from the three African nations.

In March 2013, the King also paid official visits to Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon, underscoring Morocco’s commitment to African solidarity in addressing economic and security challenges, in particular the fight against extremism.

In a column published in The Hill, J. Peter Pham, Director, Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, wrote that Morocco’s efforts in Mali and elsewhere in Africa are making “a vital contribution to regional stability as well as prosperity.”

“Morocco’s burgeoning engagement with Africa under Mohammed VI,” Pham added, “delivers an unambiguous message: Morocco is an African country of serious political and economic clout, integral to the continent’s development and prepared to play a leading role in its future.”

He said that “For policymakers in Washington, Paris, and other Western capitals long in search of a reliable partner in Africa that can direct its own resources toward enhancing regional security and prosperity, it is a signal they have been looking for.”

Over the next two weeks, King Mohammed VI will also visit Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and Gabon.

The post King Mohammed VI, President Keita Meet in Bamako to Strengthen Morocco-Mali Ties, Promote Peace, Progress in NW Africa appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI installs religious leaders to sow seeds of peace. AgWeb

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* “Morocco today is a force for peace and economic progress in a North Africa riddled with Islamic extremism and a high potential for violence. King Mohammed VI enjoys the favor and goodwill of religious leaders in the region, and his administration is geared toward nonviolence, profitable commerce and the peaceful practice of Islam.” *

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AgWeb, by Davis Michaelsen, Pro Farmer Inputs Monitor Editor (February 21, 2014) — Without civil stability, economic progress is impossible. This week we introduce Morocco as part of our Global Span which is positioned in a North Africa teetering between chaos and export revenues. As Morocco’s King installs religious leaders to sow seeds of peace, the people of Ukraine find themselves at the bargaining table, however Moscow notably refuses to sign a truce.

Meanwhile, Moscow strengthens its ties with the interim leader of Egypt, whom many believe will soon be president of Egypt. Those talks have included rumors of military hardware and economic support. This comes as journalists are on trial, and free speech in Egypt is said to be under attack.

Libya is no more stable than in previous reports and the people there, who have long sought a national identity, are leaning farther away from centralized government and closer to ancestral and tribal ties, fragmenting the national outlook.

Morocco

A newcomer to our Global Span, Morocco is currently the world’s largest exporter of phosphate rock. But Morocco’s King Mohammed VI (pictured at his inauguration above) bears the title of Amir al-Mu’mineen marking him as the overseer of Islamic culture and the ranking national religious authority.

From his post, King Mohammed VI has made efforts to thwart Islamic extremism by training 500 religious leaders and posting them — and their message of peace — throughout Morocco.

Currently, a shift is underway in the Moroccan phosphate segment to include more finished products including DAP and MAP. That will curtail exports of raw phosphate rock and phosphoric acid to other P refining nations and help Mohammed VI increase market share for finished phosphate products.

State-owned phosphate outfit OCP is part of an effort to encourage balanced soil nutrition in Africa and is dedicating phosphate production at one plant strictly for use in Africa.

Morocco today is a force for peace and economic progress in a North Africa riddled with Islamic extremism and a high potential for violence. King Mohammed VI enjoys the favor and goodwill of religious leaders in the region, and his administration is geared toward nonviolence, profitable commerce and the peaceful practice of Islam.

[Continue Reading…]

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Rachelle Croft and Rhonda Cahill will be participating in the 24th edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco in March, with hopes to raise awareness for sexual abuse and help fundraise for the Bozeman Voice Center. Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

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* Road rally moms — Rachelle Croft & Rhonda Cahill will participate in 24th edition of Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco in March, with hopes to raise awareness for sexual abuse and help fundraise for Bozeman Voice Center. *

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Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Erin Schattauer, Chronicle Staff Writer (Sunday, February 23, 2014) — One of Rachelle Croft’s first memories of driving is when she was 5 years old, sitting on her dad’s lap, helping to steer.

Now, years later, her love of driving will take her halfway around the world to compete in a grueling all-women rally raid, which will not only be a personal accomplishment but also a way to raise awareness for a cause close to her heart.

This isn’t the first time Croft will compete in the Rallye Aicha Des Gazelles in Morocco. She competed before in 2012, but now she’ll be doing it with her friend, Rhonda Cahill, by her side navigating, while the two raise awareness of sexual abuse.

The Bozeman area women will leave March 13 for the nine-day race that begins on March 19 and takes them across the Moroccan desert. They’ll begin each day at dawn and compete by charting a course to reach checkpoints in the least number of kilometers. The environmentally conscious race is about getting to the checkpoints in the shortest distance, not the least amount of time.

After completing the race in 2012, Croft knew she wanted to go back and do it again. Passionate about helping other people find their freedom, she also knew she wanted to find a way to combine the race with her passion for helping other survivors of sexual abuse.

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

“The confidence that was instilled in me when I got back was just incredible,” Croft said. Cahill could also see the effect the race had on her friend.

“I saw Rachelle do the rally, and I saw her do something for herself. It put her in a position to see how capable she was,” Cahill said. “Being raised with sexual abuse, sometimes you’re unable to see what you’re really capable of and you kind of shut down. And I met a shut down person, but I knew who she was underneath all that, and I saw her do the race and come back confident and assured of herself…She saw her strength.”

The two women have been friends since 2010. Each is the mother of three children. The two women and their husbands also work together on a reality-based Web series, “Expedition Overland.” But they had something else in common as well.

“We both took a leap of faith, knowing each other maybe a month or two months in. We had the guts to tell each other our own stories of sexual abuse,” Cahill said. Talking about their abuse has helped them. Through the Rallye Aicha Des Gazelles, they hope to bring awareness to the issue of sexual abuse and encourage other survivors to speak up and get help.

“We know what changed for us in our lives: the courage to tell someone. And so we thought if we start telling people our stories, others will have the courage to get help,” Cahill said. “As soon as it’s brought out into the light and it’s not this black hole inside of you, it no longer has that power over you,” Croft said.

The two have partnered with Voice Today, a Georgia-based nonprofit that seeks to break the silence and cycle of child sexual abuse through awareness, prevention and healing programs.

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Chronicle

When Croft did the race in 2012, she took on sponsors, putting their logos on her vehicle, but this year she and Cahill didn’t do that. They wanted the main focus and purpose of their race to be Voice Today. That is the only organization that will be advertised on their vehicle other than those required by the race.

When they get to Morocco, their roles will be fixed. Croft will drive and Cahill will navigate. Both went through training. Croft went to San Diego for two days to practice driving on the sand dunes. She said her experience driving in the Montana snow prepared her for the dunes.

Cahill went through navigation training while Croft was in driver training. With no GPS, no cellphone and no camera with a zoom lens, Cahill will be required to map out the checkpoints the team is given at the beginning of each day.

“She has the harder job for sure,” Croft said. “Probably the reason it becomes the harder job is because you are constantly having to think and check your maps,” Cahill added. Originally, Croft had planned to race with another woman, a fully trained navigator from New Zealand, and Cahill was their “number one cheerleader.” But that changed.

“I had a dream I was running the race with her and she called me the next day and said, ‘Well, five days ago my teammate had to drop out and I’ve just been waiting to decide whether or not I should ask you. Will you do the race with me?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I will,’” Cahill recalled.

Next month, when the two travel to Morocco, they will be two of 300 women competing in the race. Some are professional drivers, while others are novices. All are encouraged to compete with the “gazelle spirit,” which organizers define as talent, determination, courage, solidarity and a sense of sharing, according to the race website.

[Continue Reading…]

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King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Ivorian Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan, presides over the opening ceremony and delivers remarks to the Moroccan-Ivorian economic forum  in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.  The Moroccan sovereign is on the second leg of his four-nation Africa trip.  Photo: MAP

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* “A vibrant, developed Africa is not merely a dream for tomorrow; it can be a reality today, provided we take action.” *

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Maghreb Arab Press (Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire,  February 24,  2014) — King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Ivorian Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan, presided, on Monday in Abidjan, over the opening ceremony of the Moroccan-Ivorian economic forum and gave a speech on this occasion.

Full Text of King Mohammed VI’s remarks:

Praise be to God
May peace and blessings be upon The prophet, His Kith and Kin

Praise be to God May peace and blessings be upon The prophet, His Kith and Kin

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be in Côte d’Ivoire once again, almost a year to the day after my State Visit.

Despite the short time between the two visits, the important progress being made across the board in Côte d’Ivoire is quite clear, thanks to President Ouattara’s resolute, far-sighted action and the civic commitment of all of the nation’s stakeholders.

It is therefore with a keen sense of optimism and confidence that I am addressing the Morocco-Côte d’Ivoire Economic Forum, which reflects our determination to strengthen relations between our two countries by giving fresh momentum to our economic cooperation.

The convening of such a Forum in Côte d’Ivoire, for the first time outside the Kingdom of Morocco, and on African soil, has not come about by chance.

First, it attests to the quality of the relations between our two countries. It is also testimony to the important political and economic ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and countries in Central and West Africa.

Furthermore, it is a clear indication of just how vibrant the economy of Côte d’Ivoire is, and how confident we are in its future.

If Côte d’Ivoire has one of the region’s most active industrial bases and constitutes one of the most dynamic trading platforms, there are good reasons for it.

Now that the political twists and turns are a thing of the past, the unity and peace which have been regained are certainly Côte d’ Ivoire’s greatest source of strength. The country’s prosperous economic past undoubtedly gives it a comparative advantage.

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Morocco, just like Côte d’Ivoire, fully adheres to its African calling, as it always has throughout its history.

Today, as in the past, diplomatic relations are at the heart of our relationship. Even so, and considering the profound changes affecting the world, the mechanisms and scope of diplomacy — even its status in international relations — are expected to adapt to new realities.

In the past, diplomacy served to consolidate political ties. Today, it is the economic dimension which predominates. It is a crucial component of diplomatic relations.

At one time, cooperation was based on trust and on historical ties. Today, it increasingly hinges on efficiency, performance and credibility.

Efficiency always bears fruit. It guarantees tangible results, measurable progress as well as the capacity to come up to expectations. It also provides the assurance of quality and generates trust.

As for credibility, it requires that the continent’s wealth should benefit African peoples in the first place. This means South/South cooperation should be at the heart of inter-African economic partnerships.

A continent committed to openness, Africa will continue to develop fruitful relations with the countries with which it has the deepest historical ties as well as the greatest affinity. Although they are definitely an asset, these links are not in themselves sufficient.

Nowadays, they should be accompanied by credible action and unwavering commitment. There are no longer any conquered lands or exclusive preserves. To believe otherwise would be an illusion.

It would be just as unrealistic to think that there are small projects and big ones.

All projects are important, provided they are relevant and designed to serve the citizen.

Needless to say, there are projects which have nation-wide significance and impact. Morocco knows this firsthand. Our infrastructure projects have been entirely carried out relying on Moroccan expertise — from design to actual implementation — be it highways, electrification projects, dam, port or airport construction…etc.

However, there are also projects which, although smaller in scale, are particularly important because they have a direct bearing on the citizens and aim to improve their daily lives. This is the case of the fishing village we are launching here in Côte d’Ivoire.

Projects such as these contribute to job creation and to the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses and industries, which are the continent’s real engine of growth and the main job provider for its young people.

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Whether we look at it from the angle of the continent’s dynamic forces, its resources or its potential, Africa is a great continent. It therefore has to take its destiny in its own hands. Africa is no longer a colonized continent. This is why Africa should learn to trust Africa.

Our continent does not need assistance so much as mutually profitable partnerships. Africa needs human and social development projects much more than it needs humanitarian aid.

Africa should no longer remain shackled by its past and its current political, economic and social problems. It must look to the future with optimism and resolve and make the most of its strengths and potential.

Whereas the last century was that of the independence of African States, the 21st century should be that of African peoples’ triumph over the ravages of underdevelopment, poverty and exclusion.

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A vibrant, developed Africa is not merely a dream for tomorrow; it can be a reality today, provided we take action.

Therefore, now is the time to act or to make a start.

Indeed, it is essential to act because that is what makes political action credible; that is what makes it possible to achieve the desired objectives.

Africa must rise to many challenges which threaten its political stability and hinder its socioeconomic development.

Those challenges, however, can only be met through cooperation, solidarity between African peoples, and respect for the States’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Africa can benefit from its enormous potential, but without being self-sufficient.

Africa should forge further fruitful partnerships with the many developed countries that show a constant interest in and sincere commitment to economic progress and human development in Africa, while being actively involved in them.

It should also benefit from the opportunities offered by triangular cooperation as an innovative tool that facilitates joint efforts and helps achieve optimum use of resources.

A pioneer in this cooperation mechanism, Morocco is willing to put its credibility and the trust it enjoys with its partners at the service of sister African nations.

It is our collective duty to make sure globalization becomes a positive force conducive to development in Africa. In this respect, economic development, trade and regional integration are key issues.

Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For sustainable development to take place in Africa, the creativity and dynamism of the private sector should focus on specific promising areas such as agriculture, industry, science and technology, and infrastructure development.

In order to achieve this objective, resources must be mobilized and private enterprise boosted, which presumably means there has to be a capable and efficient public sector. Leveraging South-South public-private partnerships and the transfer of technology are key elements in this respect.

This makes institutional capacity-building in African States a strategic objective. Better governance, progress based on the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of conflicts must constitute shared priorities.

Thanks to the development of the banking sector, the urbanization of the population and African workers’ constantly increasing productivity, new prospects for the achievement of prosperity for future generations are opening up on a daily basis in Africa.

This objective will be even more readily attainable when Africa overcomes its Afro-pessimism and unlocks its intellectual and material potential as well as that of all African peoples.

Just imagine what our continent will look like, once it frees itself of its constraints and burdens!

I wish your Economic Forum every success and would like to say how much I trust your pragmatism, creativity and ability to achieve tangible results and contribute to the development of our two sister nations as well as their respective regions.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

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King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Ivorian Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan, presides over the opening ceremony and delivers remarks to the Moroccan-Ivorian economic forum in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Monday. The Moroccan sovereign is on the second leg of his four-nation Africa trip. Photo: MAP

* King calls for greater South-South cooperation, inter-African partnerships to spur progress, growth *

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MACP (Washington, DC, Feb. 25, 2014) — In a speech opening the first-ever Moroccan-Ivorian Economic Forum held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire yesterday, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI lauded Cote d’Ivoire’s economic progress and the two countries’ growing economic partnership.

King Mohammed VI greeted by Ivoirians and Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan (far left) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, February 23, 2014. Photo: MAP

He emphasized the need for more cooperation across the continent, as well as private-sector investment, to spur development.

The Forum served as the cornerstone of the King’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire — the second leg of a four-nation Africa trip that has already taken him to Mali and will continue on to Guinea and Gabon.

“Whereas the last century was that of the independence of African States, the 21st century should be that of African peoples’ triumph over the ravages of underdevelopment, poverty and exclusion,” said the King to an audience of Moroccan and Ivorian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan.

The King said that “Africa should learn to trust Africa,” and that “the continent’s wealth should benefit African peoples.”

The Moroccan sovereign highlighted that “for sustainable development to take place in Africa, the creativity and dynamism of the private sector should focus on specific promising areas such as agriculture, industry, science and technology, and infrastructure development…”

“A vibrant, developed Africa is not merely a dream for tomorrow; it can be a reality today, provided we take action,” said the King.

But to do so requires rising to “the challenges which threaten its political stability and hinder its socioeconomic development,” overcoming “Afro-pessimism,” and unlocking “its intellectual and material potential as well as that of all African peoples.”

The King’s remarks come after a five-day visit to Mali, where he presided with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita over the signing of 17 bilateral cooperation agreements focusing on a broad range of economic and development matters.

Over the next week, King Mohammed VI will also visit Guinea and Gabon.

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Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Côte d’Ivoire Prime Minister, Daniel Kablan Duncan, preside over the signing of 26 public-private and investment partnership agreements at the closing ceremony of the Feb. 24-25 Ivorian-Moroccan Economic Forum in Abidjan. Photo: MAP

Maghreb Arab Press (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, February 25, 2014) —  King Mohammed VI, accompanied by the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, chaired on Tuesday in Abidjan the signing of twenty-six public-private and investment partnership agreements during the closing ceremony of the Feb. 24-25 Ivorian-Moroccan Economic Forum.

These agreements are part of the royal instructions outlined in the speech by King Mohammed VI at the opening of the Ivorian-Moroccan Economic Forum and relate to reinforcing south-south cooperation and fostering the private sector.

They are:

• An additional protocol to the agreement related to the reciprocal encouragement and promotion of investment (signed in Abidjan March 19, 2013) by Nialé Kaba, Minister in charge of the Economy and Finance and Boussaid Mohamed, Minister of Economy and Finance.
• An agreement on the construction of an unloading point set in the town of Locodjoro/Abidjan, signed by Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Ivorian Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries Nialé Kaba, Abdurahman Cissé, Minister in charge of the Budget, Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture and Sea Fishing, Mohamed Boussaid, Mustapha Terrab, from the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development and Mohamed El Kettani, CEO of Attijariwafa Bank.
• An agreement between the autonomous Port of Abidjan and the fishing port of Dakhla, signed by Kobenan Adjoumani Kouassi, Gaoussou Touré, Ivorian Minister of Transport, Aziz Akhannouch and Aziz Rebbah, Minister for Equipment, Transport and Logistics.
• A protocol to set up the Joint Committee on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement on sea fisheries and aquaculture, signed by Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani and Aziz Akhannouch.
• A protocol of cooperation between the Autonomous Port of Abidjan and the National Ports Agency (Morocco) – Port of Agadir, signed by Gaoussou Toure and Aziz Rebbah.
• A protocol of cooperation between the Autonomous Port of Abidjan and the National Ports Agency (Morocco) – Port of Casablanca, signed by Gaoussou Toure and Aziz Rebbah.
• An amendment to the cooperation agreement on tourism, signed by Roger Kacou, Ivorian tourism minister and Lahcen Haddad, tourism minister.
• A protocol of agreement on investment promotion between the Moroccan Agency of Investment Development (AMDI) and the Côte d’Ivoire’s center for investment promotion (CEPICI), signed by Nialé Kaba and Moulay Hafid Elalamy, minister of industry, trade, investment and digital economy.
• A cooperation agreement between Morocco-Export and the Association for Côte d’Ivoire’s Exports Promotion (APEX-CI), signed by Guy Mbengue, director general of APEX-CI and Moulay Hafid Elalamy.
• A partnership agreement between Morocco’s Popular central bank group and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Côte d’Ivoire (Micro Finance), signed by Niale Kaba and Mohamed Benchaaboun, CEO of  Morocco’s Popular central bank group.
• A partnership agreement between Morocco’s Popular central bank group and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Côte d’Ivoire (funding program for the National Education Sector and Technical Education of Côte d’Ivoire) signed by Niale Kaba and Mohamed Benchaaboun.
• A protocol of framework agreement between the state of Côte d’Ivoire and Attijariwafa Bank, signed by Nialé Kaba and Mohamed El Kettani.
• A framework agreement between the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and BMCE signed by Nialé Kaba and Othman Benjelloun, CEO of BMCE.
• An agreement between Palmeraie Development and the Ivorian government for the construction of social housing units, signed by Mamadou Sanogo, Minister of Housing and Urban, and Hicham Berrada Sounni, Chairman of the Palmeraie Development Group.
• A memorandum of understanding on the construction of a pelagic fish processing plant of UNIMER group in Côte d’Ivoire, signed by Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani and Sail Alj, CEO of UNIMER Group.
• An agreement between Palmeraie Development Group and the Ivorian government (tourism projects), signed by Roger Kacou and Hicham Berrada Sounni.
• A memorandum of understanding between the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and COOPER PHARMA Maroc Company on the construction of medicines industrial unit, signed by Raymonde Goudou Coffie, Minister of Health and the Fight against AIDS, and Jawad Cheikh Lahlou, CEO of Cooper Pharma.
• A partnership agreement between Banque Central Populaire Group of Morocco and the Côte d’Ivoire Women Support Fund (FAFCI), signed by Sylvie Patricia Yao, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, and Mohamed Benchaaboun.
• A memorandum of understanding between IB Morocco and the Ivorian information division (DITT), signed by Guelpetchin Ouattara, Director of DITT, and representative of the Ministry of State and Ministry of the Interior and Security, and Abdellatif Hadef, CEO of IB Morocco.
• A framework agreement on cooperation and partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the International University of Casablanca, signed by Seydou Diaby, Director of the Scholarship department at the Ivorian Ministry of higher education and scientific research, and Tarafa Merouane, President of the Academic Council of the International University of Casablanca.
• A partnership agreement between the General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM) and the General Confederation of Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI) on the creation of a Moroccan-Ivorian economic council, signed by Bernard N’Doumi, Vice-President of CGECI and Miriem Bensalah-Chaqroun, Chairwoman of CGEM.
• A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of industry  between CDG Development Group and the Ivorian Agency for the Management and Development of Industrial Infrastructure (AGEDI), signed by Youssouf Ouattara, Acting Director General of AGEDI, and Anas Houir Alami, CEO of CDG Development.
• A framework agreement on cooperation in the mining sector between the Ivorian government and MANAGEM Group, signed by Dembele Yahaya, Technical Advisor to the Director General of the Society for Mining Development of Côte d’Ivoire (SODEMI), and Abdelaziz Abarro, CEO of MANAGEM Group.
• A framework partnership agreement between Attijariwafa Bank and the African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (AGF), signed by Felix Bikpo, General Manager of the Fund, and Mohamed El Kettani.
• A funding agreement of 50 million dollars by the Banque Populaire and the International Finance Corporation (IFC- subsidiary of the World Bank), signed by Georgina Baker, Director at IFC, and Mohamed Benchaaboun.
• A funding agreement of 60 million dollars by the Banque Populaire and Japanese Bank SUMITOMI, signed by Jun Yokoe, Joint General Manager, and Mohamed Benchaaboun.

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Born in Tangier, Morocco, music video and film director Sanaa Hamri moved to New York with dreams of making it big as an actress. She shares her story with CNN’s African Voices on how she left her mark on the entertainment industry. Click on photo to watch part 1 of video report. CNN

* Sanaa Hamri is a Moroccan music video and film director who got her start in the film industry as a post production assistant and then editor. She met Mariah Carey on set who advised her to think about becoming a director, and now she hopes to inspire youth through her success and open a Moroccan film studio. *

Click here to watch video report: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

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Editor’s note: African Voices is a weekly CNN show that highlights Africa’s most engaging personalities, exploring the lives and passions of people who rarely open themselves up to the camera.

CNN African Voices, by Isha Sesay and Lauren Said-Moorhouse (February 26, 2014) — Music video and film director Sanaa Hamri moved to New York with dreams of making it big as an actress. But like so many others, she found herself struggling through endless auditions and unemployment. Born worlds away in the town of Tangier, Morocco, Hamri wasn’t afraid to fight back. She’d grown up in a traditionally male-dominated society and her rebellion against gender stereotypes had helped put her on this creative career path. Refusing to give up, she changed tact finding work with a post production company. She was soon noticed by cinematographer Malik Sayeed who, in turn, introduced her to Mariah Carey. And with the famous singer’s guidance, Hamri embarked on a new, highly successful, career trajectory, leaving her mark on the entertainment industry. Hamri went on to direct numerous high-profile music videos as well as three feature films and several episodes of popular TV shows like “Desperate Housewives” and “Glee.” Here she reveals to CNN what’s like to collaborate with entertainment royalty like Lenny Kravitz or Nicki Minaj while achieving success among the stars in Tinseltown.

Sanaa Hamri currently lives and does most of her work in LA. Angela Weiss/Getty

Embrace your heritage. “I’m a product of a multicultural union of my father who is and was Moroccan and my mother who is American,” says Hamri. “So I was able to grow in a household that had both. I very much identify as a Moroccan woman because I was born and raised there. My father’s Moroccan and I went to school there so that is home to me.”

Education is vital. Hamri’s mother, Blanca taught at the American School of Tangier and she credits the establishment with providing opportunities that others in her neighborhood didn’t have. “The memory of it for me is education was something that was a gift that you have to take advantage of,” she explains.  Rebellion can ignite a journey you’d never contemplated before. “I would look around and I would see all of these men in the cafes and on the streets and I would think to myself, ‘I can be just like that and do whatever I want to do as you do.’ Just because I’m of a different gender, that doesn’t mean I can’t drive, I can’t rule, I can’t think, I can’t create.”

Despite her silver screen success, she remains very much connected to her birthplace. “I definitely want to create in Morocco as a base a very large studio that would be in competition with the big studios in Hollywood,” Hamri says. “We would be able to go on location and stuff, but just really creating like the biggest entertainment hub in Africa.”

[Continue Reading at CNN's African Voices...]

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Christian de Portzamparc plans Casarts Theater in Casablanca, Morocco, a bold, dynamic design that was the winning entry of an international competition. Photo: ©Christian de portzamparc (ACDP)

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* ‘Casarts’, scheduled to open its doors to the public in 2016 in Casablanca, will be the largest theater in Africa. *

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Design Boom Architecture (March 1, 2014) — Christian de Portzamparc has revealed plans for ‘Casarts’ in Casablanca, Morocco, a project which will become the largest theater in Africa. Situated on place Mohammed V, a popular urban plaza, the design is the winning entry of an international competition that took place in 2009. The brief called for a scheme which reinvigorated and breathed new life into the vast square, a bold and dynamic proposal juxtaposing the plaza’s classical composition.

The theater will host musical concerts, plays and a range of performance based art. Illustration: christian de portzamparc (ACDP)

The centerpiece of the design is an 18,000 seat hall hosting musical concerts and theatrical plays.  The expansive volume reinterprets the shape of an opera hall, allowing the public to congregate around the stage through a series of fan-shaped balconies. The building also houses a smaller 600 seat theater and public rehearsal rooms in addition to an art gallery, a host of retail and dining outlets and a library.

Elevated circulation routes traverse the voids providing views across the complex below. Photo: christian de portzamparc (ACDP)

The façade’s external skin is a brilliant white, illuminating the square at all times of the day. Envisioned as a series of detached units, the fluid structure presents inviting apertures offering visitors glimpses of internal volumes. Internally, shaded passages are carved from the unit’s mass, connecting the complex, while elevated circulation routes traverse these voids providing views across the complex below. ‘Casarts’ is scheduled to open its doors to the public in 2016.

‘Casarts’, with its concert hall, is scheduled to open its doors to the public in 2016. Illustration: christian de portzamparc (ACDP)

[Continue Reading at DesignBoom…]

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The approach to the vast complex on Place Mohammed V in Casablanca. Illustration: christian de portzamparc (ACDP)

The post Christian de Portzamparc Plans Casarts Theater in Casablanca – DesignBoom appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

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* “It is clear Morocco is playing an extremely crucial role in both Africa & the Arab world.”*

Rudroneel Ghosh, The Times of India

MOTM — In a recent column, “India must note Morocco’s important role in Africa and Middle East” (Feb.27, 2014), Times of India editorial columnist Rudroneel Ghosh writes about the “increasingly pivotal role” Morocco is playing in “promoting socio-economic stability in the Sahara and Sahel” and helping to “broker peace in the Middle East.” Ghosh reports that:

Morocco’s unique position is underpinned by the fact that it is at the forefront of tackling three critical issues spanning Africa and the Arab world. First, there is clear evidence to suggest that several nations in the Maghreb and Sahel face serious threats from radical Islamist militancy. The US-led military intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq over the last decade forced Islamist militants to take shelter in North Africa and its surrounding regions.

Ghosh notes how a “deadly cocktail of arms and militants” brought crisis to northern Mali.  He says that while an “international military coalition” eventually pushed out radical Islamists, at the same time “stakeholders in Africa also recognized that fighting jihadi terror” will require longer-term measures.

This is where Morocco comes in. Inspired and led by King Mohammed VI, Morocco has taken it upon itself to stabilize the situation in Mali through a host of bilateral initiatives. This includes training the Malian army for counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations, mediating a political truce between Bamako and the rebel Tuaregs in Mali’s north and cooperating with the Malian government to develop diverse sectors such as trade, banking, health, education, etc. But most importantly,” Ghosh writes, “Morocco has agreed to train 500 Malian imams in its own brand of moderate Maliki Islam. This initiative, in particular, needs to be lauded and expanded in scope to fight the shadow of Islamic extremism that looms over Africa – something that was highlighted yet again with the recent Boko Haram attack on school students in Nigeria.

The second area where Morocco is making significant contributions is inter-African cooperation. As part of his latest four-nation African tour, in his recent speech at the Morocco- Côte d’Ivoire Economic Forum, King Mohammed VI emphasized on the need for greater South-South collaborations. Urging African leaders to take their destiny in their own hands, the King asserted that Africa did not need humanitarian aid as much as mutually profitable partnerships. Pitching for solidarity between African peoples and respect for states’ territorial sovereignty, the King outlined a new paradigm of African unity and development.

[Continue Reading at The Times of India…]

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Morocco Meets Napa Valley, a three-part culinary series, heads for the trio of regional Auberge resorts in mid-March.  Calistoga Ranch

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* Deliciousness: A three-part culinary series heads for wine country. *

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NBC News Bay Area, by Alysia Gray Painter (Napa Valley, California, March 3, 2014) — A TRIO OF TASTY NIGHTS: Napa kind of does the world cuisine rather well, you might have heard. Of course, fans of the region know this well, but those quintessential wine country dishes and flavors can dominate many minds when it comes to considering the cuisine of the area. There’s an answer to that, and one the valley regularly participates in: Host events and series that bring together flavors from points around the planet. This flavorful idea will come full flower in the middle of march when the Auberge resorts host a trio of dinners, all focused on the culinary traditions of Morocco. Each night will take on a different theme, with a different setting, but all with a single purpose: Beautiful food in beautiful settings.

NIGHT ONE… is a Moroccan Mezze Reception at Auberge de Soleil. Think “French Moroccan meets California cuisine” for this one, and think dishes like falafel with yogurt tzatziki and spiced lamb saddle complete with an organic carrot-and-cumin puree and orange reduction. Mmm. We’re not quite sure what words from this round-up we want to focus on today, but “orange reduction” may stay with us. Date? It’s Thursday, March 13.

NIGHT TWO… Happens the next night, at Solage Calistoga. Tagine is the elegant order of the night, and guests will help make ‘em, at “an interactive cooking class.” Local and Moroccan wines’ll be flowing, and your take-home goodie? A tagine of your own, from Le Creuset.

[Continue Reading at NBC News Bay Area…]

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Youth leaders from the Maghreb and Middle East meet in Casablanca on February 24th. Photo: Mariam Tahiri

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* They praised MEPI program’s influence on their characters, cultural bridges it was building between east & west. *

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Magharebia, by Mariam Tahiri (Casablanca, Morocco, March 3, 2014) — Young leaders from across the Maghreb and Middle East met in Casablanca to showcase their recent projects and foreign training.  About 100 students from Morocco, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian Territories and Israel participated in the February 21-24 event sponsored by the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).

The young people spent months at six US universities, where they received training in leadership and civil society. The goal is to apply those skills in their native countries. “These are projects addressing the urgent needs of their countries,” said Joseph Essex, director of Student Leaders Program. These students “received high-level training in civil society, democratic institutions, principles of freedom of expression, equality and social justice,” he said. Essex hailed the students for their commitment to solving the problems of the region.

Moroccan student Abderrahim Boulay said he grew up in a village and faced a lot of difficulties. He therefore sought to make a change for the benefit of his village. MEPI provided Boulay with the necessary skills he needed to carry out his project, leading him to develop an interest civil society and social service, which he said was part of the solution.

For her part, Kbira Gharem, a Moroccan graduate student in journalism and member of several associations, said, “I’ve had a unique and distinguished experience when I was chosen for the MEPI program and travelled to the United States.” Upon her return to Morocco, she worked on her social project, which aims at helping rural women working at argan oil co-operatives by giving them literacy classes and guiding them in marketing their products so they can have financial independence.

In his turn, Tunisian student Nizar Mohamed, also a member of a number of humanitarian associations, said he was proud of the distinguished and beneficial experience made available to him by the Student Leaders Program.  ”After I visited five American states, I further consolidated my knowledge about the United States and improved my leadership skills,” he said. Nizar attended many seminars and workshops at Roger Williams University. Those focused on the attributes of leaders around the world, preparation and evaluation of projects and the effectiveness of active citizens’ contributions in their communities.

Participants attended workshops on social projects, empowerment of women and freedom of expression as graduates of former classes also shared their experiences, their projects and the extent of their implementation and success in their communities. Some of them noted that the Student Leaders Program also enabled them to discover various Middle Eastern and North African cultures and provided them with a new perspective about problems in their region.

The program also provided them with an opportunity to understand issues of mutual concern and created in them a joint feeling of responsibility towards humanitarian conditions in their environment. They praised the MEPI program’s influence on their characters and the cultural bridges it was building between the east and west.

The post MENA Youths Discuss Development, Freedom – Magharebia appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

* Morocco claims the title, with the average person drinking 355 litres per year, or about four cups of tea per day. *

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Mirror-UK, ampp3d, by Chris Stokel-Walker (London, England, March 3, 2014) — Two-thirds of Britons drink tea every day, according to the UK Tea Council, and have done since the first cup was quaffed in the 17th century. But though our reputation as tea-totallers is famous the world over, we’re not top of the list of tea drinkers.

Photo: D.Ph/Flickr

Morocco claims the title, with the average person getting through 355 litres per year, which equates to around four cups of tea per day. Moroccans mostly drink their green tea sweet, with their own word – atai – for the culture around tea drinking. Instead we’re a measly sixth in the world tea-drinking rankings, data collated by analysts Euromonitor International show. Britons drank 184.5 litres of tea per capita in 2013, and we’re forecast to drink less in the coming five years, our consumption dropping around 3% to 2018.

A tea clipper. Then lots of tea clippers. Mirror.

All the while Morocco’s tea demand is forecast to rise – by 7% in the same time period. This increased thirst means that even though Morocco has roughly half the population of the United Kingdom, this year it’ll overtake us in the total volume of tea brewed. Nearly 12 billion litres of tea will be brewed in Morocco, compared to our 11.6 billion. It’d take 213 tea clippers of the kind sailed by the East India Company around 1800 carrying 1,200 tons of tea each to slake the thirst of Britons living in 2013. That might prove difficult given each clipper’s journey was an 18-month round trip. Luckily, today’s tea is brought to the UK on quicker vessels and at a much larger scale.

[Continue Reading at The Mirror…]

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Mbarka Bouaida, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, meets with Dallas Assembly delegation from US. Photo: MAP

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LeMag (Rabat, Morocco, March 3, 2014) — The decision by the “Dallas Assembly” to hold its annual seminar in Morocco, the first in an African country, reflects the special interest and trust of several American stakeholders in the Kingdom, said Minister-delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mbarka Bouaida, on Saturday.

In a meeting with a delegation of the Dallas Assembly, Bouaida highlighted the major success of the visit of King Mohammed VI in the United States, at the invitation of President Barack Obama, which helped consolidate the strategic partnership between Rabat and Washington, and led to the signing of several agreements in the political, economic, and cultural fields.

She said the royal visit, which reflected the deep bilateral relations, helped define a roadmap and opened promising prospects for the two countries, she said.

The Dallas Assembly, founded in 1962, is an organization of diverse leaders (350 members) who have demonstrated leadership in the arenas of civic life, business, education, government, law, medicine, religion, science, or the arts.

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