Thursday, February 13, 2020

Photo of the Day

News Roundup: 7.5 Tons of Cannabis Seized; A Non-Aggression Pact; A Meeting Between Development Model and Employers’ Association

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Photo Credit: DGSN (General Directorate of National Security)

7.5 Tons of Cannabis Seized in SW Morocco

Source: Morocco World News

Lead: The Judiciary Police of Guelmim, southern Morocco, have arrested eight individuals for their alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking network. Police also seized more than 7.5 tons of cannabis resin.

Key Background: “The arrests took place on Tuesday, February 11, based on precise information provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), according to a press release from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).”

“Authorities seized the drugs from several warehouses in the rural commune of Taghjijt, about 80 kilometers east of Guelmim, and an all-terrain vehicle near the town of Assa, around 60 kilometers southeast of Guelmim.”

Why this is newsworthy: This event is newsworthy because of its significance.

News Roundup: Egypt’s Proposal Rejected; Environmentalism Awarded; Migrants Missing At Sea

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Morocco turns down Egypt’s proposal of «unified African Force»

Source: Yabilaadi

Lede: Morocco has rejected a proposal made by Egypt to create an African Force to fight terrorism in the continent.

Key Background: “A vision within which African forces operate together is preferable than forming a unified African military force,” wrote Middle East Monitor, quoting Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita.

Bourita said that “Morocco is one of the oldest African countries to participate in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, including the first-ever operation in 1960.”

Why this is newsworthy: This development is a small piece of the continually unfolding conversation around peace in North Africa.

Moroccan families mourn drowning of 45 who used risky migration route to Spain

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The following article was written by Ryley Graham, a fall 2019 alum of SIT: Field Studies in Journalism and New Media.  On February 7th, 2020, her story was published in USA Today.

ZENATA BEACH, Morocco – Just a few hours after Brahim Lhlo laid eyes on the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time, it almost swallowed him whole.

“I was crying and asking God for help and the waves kept crushing us,” he said. “I never thought I was going to survive this experience – I was dying.”

After years of struggling to contribute to his family’s income, Lhlo, 27, left his central Moroccan village and joined 45 young Moroccan men and one woman on a voyage he had been considering for as long as he can remember – traversing the waters between Morocco and Spain to find work.

News Round-up: Moroccans against Trump’s “Peace Plan”; Contracted Teacher Strike; New Highway Underway

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An estimated 10,000 Moroccans marched down Rabat’s city center to demonstrate support for Palestine and strong opposition of Donald Trump’s proposed “Peace Plan”.

Lede: The Moroccan government and its citizens have established a clear stance opposing the U.S. proposed “Peace Plan” for Palestine and Israel.

Key Background: Spearheaded by Jared Kushner, the Trump Administrations “Deal of the Century” has been opposed by Palestinian leaders and their Moroccan allies. The deal, which would recognize Palestine as an independent state, comes with many restrictions that some argue heavily favor the Israeli state. The two most prevalent being the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the legal recognition of Israeli settlements in the West Bank under international law.

News Round-Up: Western Sahara Exports; Call for Repatriation of Families; Northern Dam Proposal

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Photo Credit DR/Yabilada

EU: Exports from Western Sahara Remain Under Morocco Umbrella

Morocco World News

Lede: The European Union (EU) has denied rumors that it will ban Morocco from exporting products from the southern region of Western Sahara to European states.

Key Background: The union will apply the same standards to all imports into the European market from all countries and territories, including Morocco’s Western Sahara.

Why this is newsworthy: The question of how products exported from the Western Sahara will be labeled has been a recent point of focus. This latest statement by the EU reaffirms not only Moroccan sovereignty over Western Saharan exports, but also over the territory itself.

News Roundup: Arrest for Coronavirus rumor; border clampdown for migrants; Western Sahara maritime expansion

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Photo by Fadel Senna / AFP 

Police arrest woman spreading rumors on Coronavirus outbreak in Morocco 

Morocco World News

Lead: Moroccan police arrested a woman for spreading rumors about the outbreak of coronavirus in Morocco. The arrest took place on Monday.

Nut graph: The outbreak of the virus is spreading fear across the world. The disease first broke out in China in December 2019. More than 400 people have died due to the virus in China, with more than 20,000 cases confirmed.

Why this is newsworthy: This article highlights the Moroccan public’s concern over the quickly spreading Coronavirus, as well as the Moroccan government’s liberal use of arrest for false information on its citizens.

Three Cities, One Dish

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By N’Kaela Webster

RABAT, Morocco — One-on-one sessions with restaurant owners or in the kitchen with your host family are the best ways to explore the hidden secrets of Moroccan food. Since the moment I knew that I would be coming to Morocco, I have been on a quest to learn more about Moroccan food. After gathering evidence from three authentic Moroccan restaurants, I learned that the simplicity of a Moroccan meal is enhanced by the use of the tagine.

My first taste of Moroccan culture and food was back home at Marakesh Restaurant.

News Roundup: Rapper imprisoned; Polisario threat; Women’s rugby

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Photo by Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP

Moroccan rapper gets year in prison for critical video

Associated Press

Lead: Moroccan rapper Gnawi knew the police would come when he and two friends released an unusually outspoken video exposing their country’s problems with migration and drugs and expressing frustration with the king.

Nut Graph: Gnawi, a former military serviceman whose real name is Mohamed Mounir, was handed a one-year prison sentence Monday by a judge for insulting the police in a case that his supporters say is a backlash against growing public anger at authorities and over a lack of economic opportunity.

A Medina Patisserie Tells a Story of Generations

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by ELLLIE ZIMMERMAN

RABAT, Morocco  — On a typically sunny Friday in September, Rabat’s Mohammed V Avenue performs an ancient ritual. The street is slowly coming to life after the quiet of the lunch and prayer hours, in anticipation of the busy workday. Shopkeepers sweep their doorsteps and open their stalls. Couscous-filled shoppers begin to populate the street. Mohammed Ben Kasem participates in the ceremony as he arrives to oversee the scene at his French-style cake shop Patisserie Saïd, exactly as his father and grandfather did every day for decades before him. 

News of the Day: November 15, 2018

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Viral rap song highlights Morocco monarchy taboo

by Vera Le Quesne-Papic and Krassi Twigg for BBC News

Lede: “A rap song deemed critical of the king has sparked debate and anger in Morocco on the eve of the trial of one of its singers. Mohamed Mounir, widely known as Gnawi, was arrested at the start of the month, and his lawyer says he will next appear in court on 25 November. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and a fine.”

Nut Graph: “The Moroccan authorities have denied that the rapper’s arrest was prompted by the song, saying it was based on a previous YouTube video in which he insults the police.

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