![Spanish Representatives Oppose Morocco’s Joint Bid with Spain and Portugal Spain’ Prime Minister proposed a trio bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup; but the idea does not appear to be popular with Spanish politicians. The representatives of two Spanish political parties, the People’s Party and the Citizens-Party, have said they do not want Spain to submit a joint candidacy with Portugal and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup. In a meeting organized by the National Federation of Sports Facilities Entrepreneurs (FNEID) in Madrid, the People’s party representative, Vicente Azpitarte dismissively spoke about Spain joining a trio with Morocco and Portugal to organize the World Cup. Azpitarte specifically wondered whether Spain would get any advantages from teaming up with the two countries, t Spanish news outlet Iusport reported on Wednesday. The Citizens-Party representative, Roberto Nunez, agreed with Azpitarte. “We do not intend to organize a World Cup with other countries. Spain has more than enough capacity [to organize the World Cup], it is a country that has already organized a World Cup, and we do not understand that proposal,” Nunez said. The adviser of United Podemos, Oscar Penas, stated that he does not clearly see why “the priority is to organize a World Cup or an Olympiad at this time.” Morocco and Spain cooperate on a number of issues, ranging from security and migration to trade and education. On November 18, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, arrived in Morocco for a first visit since his election to premiership. During his visit, Sanchez proposed to both Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani and King Mohammed VI a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup. “We are launching a joint message, which is that this will be a bid between two continents. The King of Morocco is receptive and we’re going to work on it with Portugal. We are very excited about it,” Sanchez said.](https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ABL-Launches-in-Casablanca-Becoming-Africa’s-First-Aircraft-Leaser-180x135.jpeg "ABL Launches in Casablanca, Becoming Africa’s First Aircraft Leaser")
Rabat - Burkinabe authorities expressed their gratitude to Morocco for its solidarity following the double terrorist attacks that hit Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou on March 2.
Rabat – Burkinabe authorities expressed their gratitude to Morocco for its solidarity following the double terrorist attacks that hit Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou on March 2.
Last week’s deadly attacks on army headquarters and the French Embassy claimed the lives eight Burkinabe soldiers, while 61 members of the security forces were injured. The attack also injured 24 civilians.
The eight attackers, who struck the headquarters, were killed in the attacks, identified by the Burkinabe government as violent acts of terror.
Following the attacks, Morocco’s Ambassador in Burkina Faso Farhat Bouazza contacted Burkinabe officials to express condolences and solidarity.
“Contacted by the ambassador in the aftermath of the events, the high authorities of Burkina Faso’s high authorities have not failed to express their gratitude to Morocco for the gesture of friendship, solidarity, and support that the Kingdom brings them in these very difficult circumstances,” Morocco’s ambassador told Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
The Burkinabe authorities have also reported the message of condolence and support addressed by King Mohammed VI to the President of Burkina Faso, March Christian Kaboré.
In his message, King Mohammed VI voiced his solidarity and support for the “despicable terrorist acts.”
According to the monarch, such terror acts aimed at undermining the security and stability of Burkina Faso and of the Sahel-Saharan region.
The King has also expressed his “strongest condemnation” of this cowardly terrorist attacks, assuring the president of Burkina Faso of the solidarity and support of the Moroccan Kingdom in this terrible ordeal.
Farhat responded saying that like other official embassies in the country, the Moroccan embassy was not surprised by these terrorist attacks.
The Moroccan diplomat said that since the uprising of October 2014, Burkina Faso has been the target of attacks, not only in Ouagadougou, but also in northern regions of the country.
“What was really surprising, is the chosen targets, timing and modus operandi,” said Farhat.
The Moroccan ambassador added that as soon as he was informed of these attacks, the Moroccan embassy immediately reacted, setting up a crisis unit to protect the Moroccan community living in Ouagadougou.
All Moroccan nationals registered with the embassy were contacted by telephone or email to warning them to avoid the areas affected by the attacks, Farhat added. The Moroccan official stated that it is necessary for the embassy to contact the Burkinabe authorities to make sure that no Moroccan victim is reported.
A coalition of Sahelian jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda, the Islamist and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), claimed credit for the Ouagadougou double attack.
Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania launched the G5 Sahel anda joint military force in 2017, to an attempt to eradicate the jihadist groups that still ravage the area.
