Monday, April 15, 2024 Press Review

Malawi Inaugurates Embassy in Rabat

The Republic of Malawi inaugurated its embassy in Rabat on Monday in a ceremony co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, alongside his Malawian counterpart, Nancy Tembo.

During the event, the Malawian official expressed gratitude to Morocco for its collaboration in inaugurating Malawi's diplomatic representation, emphasizing the excellence of the bilateral and multilateral relations between Rabat and Lilongwe.

Bourita affirmed that the inauguration of the Malawi Republic's embassy in Rabat reflects the maturity of the bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Malawi, as well as the level of cooperation across various domains.

Source: Al Bayane

Pedro Sanchez Highlights "Excellence" of Cooperation with Morocco

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking at the Congress of Deputies on Wednesday, emphasized the "excellence" of cooperation with Morocco across all domains. He stated that his recent visit to the Kingdom in February had injected new momentum into bilateral ties.

Sanchez noted the strong cooperation between Spain and Morocco in combating terrorism, illegal immigration, and human trafficking networks. He also highlighted cultural and sports cooperation, citing the expansion of the Cervantes Institute network in Morocco and the joint bid with Morocco and Portugal for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The Spanish Prime Minister also welcomed the improvement in security, financial, and commercial cooperation between the two countries.

Source: Al Bayane

Parliament Opens Spring Session with Re-election of Rachid Talbi Alami as President

The spring session of Parliament has commenced! The House of Representatives began the proceedings of the second session of the 2023-2024 legislative year on Friday, marked by a comprehensive agenda covering regulation, legislation, and oversight. The session commenced with the election of the House of Representatives President for the remainder of the parliamentary term (2021-2026), following the Chamber's internal regulations stipulating the presidential election at the start of the legislative term and in the third year, during the April session, for the remaining period as per Article 62 of the Constitution.

Rachid Talbi Alami from the National Rally of Independents (RNI) was re-elected as the House of Representatives President for the remaining period of the current parliamentary term during a plenary session at the opening of the second session of the 2023-2024 legislative year. Talbi Alami, representing the parliamentary majority, secured 264 votes out of 324 cast, with his sole opponent, Abdellah Bouanou, President of the parliamentary group of the Justice and Development Party, receiving 23 votes, while 37 null votes were recorded.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

Saham Group Acquires SGMB and La Marocaine Vie

Société Générale Group has signed two sale agreements with Saham Group, pending approval from the relevant authorities, to transfer Société Générale Marocaine de Banques including its subsidiaries, and La Marocaine Vie.

Both groups have outlined a long-term commercial partnership as part of the agreements.

The Board of Directors of Société Générale, chaired by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi on April 11, 2024, approved the signing of these contracts, which involve the sale of Société Générale Group's shares (57.67%) in Société Générale Marocaine de Banques including its subsidiaries, and the sale of all shares held by Sogécap in the insurance company La Marocaine Vie.

Saham Group would take over all activities operated by these subsidiaries and their client portfolios, as well as all employees of these entities. This divestiture project aligns with Société Générale's strategic roadmap presented in September 2023, aiming to shape a simplified, more synergistic, and efficient model while strengthening the Group's capital.

Source: Aujourd'hui le Maroc

RAM Official Carrier of Abidjan's African Arts and Entertainment Market Festival

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the national carrier, is the official carrier of the African Arts and Entertainment Market (MASA) Festival in Abidjan, holding its 13th edition from April 13 to 20 in the Ivorian economic capital.

On this occasion, RAM organized a gala dinner in Abidjan on Friday, attended by the Ivorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie, representatives from the Moroccan Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, Royal Air Maroc, and various Ivorian and Moroccan personalities.

Speaking at the event, the regional representative of Royal Air Maroc in Côte d'Ivoire, Mohamed Babou, emphasized the enduring partnership between RAM and this significant cultural event, stating that "the collaboration with MASA goes beyond mere sponsorship: it symbolizes Royal Air Maroc's philosophy as a deeply African company."

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Recovery of Tarfaya: A Milestone in Completing the Kingdom's Territorial Integrity

The Moroccan people proudly celebrate, amidst strong mobilization, the 66th anniversary of the return of the city of Tarfaya to the motherland, a pivotal step in the process of completing the Kingdom's territorial integrity and consolidating national unity.

This significant historical event marked the beginning of the liberation process of other parts of the national territory under foreign occupation.

Indeed, colonialism had divided Morocco into several spheres of influence, with Spanish control in the North and South, French control in the Center, and subjecting Tangier to an international status.

This situation complicated the process of achieving the Kingdom's independence, for which the Throne and the people made immense sacrifices, culminating in the return of late King Mohammed V and the Royal Family to the country in November 1955.

Source: Le Matin du Sahara

Chariot Limited Finalizes Transaction with Energean and Signs Drilling Contract with Stena Drilling

Chariot Limited and Energean plc Group announce the completion of their partnership agreements. Under this transaction, Chariot received an initial payment of $10 million from Energean. "We are very pleased to have received formal approval from the Moroccan authorities for this transaction and for Energean to now be officially our partner on the Lixus and Rissana licenses," said Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of Chariot. "Our teams are working closely on well planning to ensure the accelerated commencement of this campaign in the third quarter of 2024." According to the official, further updates will be provided as necessary. Specifically, Energean now holds 45 and 37.5% respectively in the offshore licenses of Lixus and Rissana and becomes the operator. Chariot retains 30 and 37.5% of the interests in these licenses, with ONHYM maintaining its 25% stake in each of them. Additionally, a drilling contract has been signed with Stena Drilling for the use of its "Stena Forth" drilling unit for an appraisal drilling and development of a well located east of the Anchois gas field and an additional optional well on the Lixus license.

Source: Liberation