According to allegations, surrogates bribed multiple participants in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) up to $500,000 to vote for Dbeibah during a set of UN-led peace talks in Tunisia in February.

The United Nations spearheaded the LPDF in November, seeking to inaugurate a unified authority in a country divided by rival eastern and western-based governments.

The forum convened in Tunis on February 5 to elect a unified provisional government, which will serve until the permanent national elections anticipated for December 2021.

Dbeibah’s ticket won the interim elections by a margin of five votes: The LPDF selected eastern-backed Mohamed Al-Menfi as Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council alongside western-backed Dbeibah for the Prime Minister seat.

In light of the public bribery allegations against Dbeibah, UN Special Envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams demanded a comprehensive investigation into the legitimacy of the accusations.

UN experts found that two participants in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum’s February convention “offered bribes between $150,000 to $200,000 to at least three LPDF participants if they committed to vote for Dbeibah as Prime Minister,” according to a report set to be presented to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) later this month.

The findings claim that one peace talks participant “erupted in anger in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Tunis on hearing that some participants may have received up to $500,000 for their Dbeibah vote, whereas he had only received $200,000.”

Aguila Saleh, the eastern-backed speaker of Parliament who observers expect to run against Dbeibah for the permanent PM seat, has been vocal about the bribery allegations.

“If it is proven that votes were bought, this is a crime that cannot be ignored and its perpetrator cannot be allowed to benefit from it,” Saleh said.

Dbeibah’s office continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing and has accused political adversaries of “undermining the process of forming a government and obstructing the process of approving it by spreading rumors and false reports.”

“We assure the Libyan people that the first stage of the roadmap will soon be completed,” Dbeibah said, encouraging the country’s Parliament to approve the new interim government in a vote scheduled to take place on March 8.

Read also: Morocco Encourages Libya to Quickly Establish Interim Government

Saleh has urged the government to postpone the Parliament session until a final decision is reached on February’s election results.

“I believe it is appropriate to delay the session until the [UN] report is made public,” Saleh explained, “and if it indeed says there were bribes, then those who committed them must be excluded.”

However, the United States Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has encouraged the Libyan Parliament to stick to the original date.

“Following consultations with international partners, UNSMIL and its partners strongly encourage the House of Representatives to meet as scheduled,” the agency stated. “This call comes in line with the increasing public demand for the urgent need to form a united government to address the most pressing needs and facilitate the holding of national elections in December 2021.”

It remains unclear whether the Parliament vote will take place on schedule.

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After the extension and conversion, the Nouaceur facilities will provide 1,200 new vocational training spaces in nine airport and aeronautics trade sectors, Morocco’s state media reported. 

The sectors include airport logistics, surface treatment, heat treatment, digitally controlled machinery, machining operation, aircraft maintenance mechanics, and aerostructure and aeronautical welding.

Morocco’s Office for Vocational Training and Promotion of Work (OFPPT) is contributing to the ISMALA project with MAD 20.2 million ($2.2 million), according to the same source.

The project is a part of the developmental roadmap of vocational training that OFPPT presented to King Mohammed VI in April 2019 in partnership with the Moroccan Aerospace and Space Industries Group (GIMAS) and the Department of Industry and the National Airports Office (ONDA).

The partnership resulted in the creation of a School Council.

Minister Education Saaid Amzazi and Minister of Industry Moulay Hafid Elalamy were present at the construction launch, along with President of the Casablanca-Settat Region Council Mustapha Bakkoury, Governor of the Province of Nouaceur Abdallah Chater, OFPPT Director General Loubna Tricha, ONDA Director General Habiba Laklalech, and GIMAS President Karim Cheikh.

Elalamy pointed out that 142 companies operate in the field and produce about 42% of the country’s aeronautics components.

Upgrading the ISMALA airport and aeronautics trades vocational facility in Nouaceur is one of 15 Chakara-funded projects that will create 12,670 professional opportunities for trainees across the country, according to the same source.

The Charaka Fund is a partnership between Morocco and the United States established under the “Compact II” cooperation program, with a budget of $450 million financed through the US’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

The Fund aims to promote the professional inclusion of young people, improve the competitiveness of companies, and adopt collaborative governance with professionals.

Read also: French Aeronautics Company LPF Opens New Factory in Morocco

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Morocco’s judicial police, maritime patrols under the Royal Gendarmerie, and Royal Navy carried out the operation, a statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) has said.

The operation took place after the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) shared precise information about the drug trafficking attempt.

The information revealed the involvement of sailors operating on an inshore fishing boat in an attempt to smuggle cannabis.

The security services jointly cooperated in the operation, enabling members of the Royal Maritime Gendarmerie and the Royal Navy to intercept the boat 54 kilometers off Mehdia.

Police arrested seven suspects for their alleged involvement in the case.

They suspect that the arrested individuals have links with a criminal network active in international drug trafficking.

The suspects tried to get rid of the cannabis by throwing some of the drugs into the sea during Morocco’s police intervention.

Officers put all the suspects in custody for further investigation.

An investigation is still ongoing to arrest possible accomplices involved in the affair and to determine the ramifications of the network with international drug trafficking.

The operation is the third of its kind this week.

Moroccan police also seized over 3 tonnes of cannabis today in the city of El Jadida, near Casablanca.

A truck driver abandoned a truck carrying cannabis in a rural area of the city.

Police link the case to international drug trafficking.

Earlier this week, police also seized 4 tonnes of cannabis resin in the city of Asilah, northern Morocco. DGSN identified the operation as an international drug trafficking attempt.

In 2020, DGSN announced it arrested 97,564 people for their involvement in drug trafficking cases.

In the same year, Morocco seized 217.32 kilograms of cannabis resin and its derivatives. The number represents an increase of 37 tonnes compared to 2019.

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Morocco’s total active cases now stand at 5,484, less than half of the number at the end of January. The remarkable strides accompany the country’s vaccination campaign that aims to solidify the country’s progress by achieving herd immunity.

In order to reach that goal, Morocco intends to vaccinate 80% of its people against COVID-19. Health officials made another step in that direction through efforts that have now vaccinated a total of 3,877,687 people with their first dose and 499,942 with their second and final dose.

Hospitals in Morocco continue to care for 366 patients in its intensive care units. Approximately 11.6% of the country’s COVID-19 resuscitation beds are occupied. 

Regionally, Morocco’s most populous region of Grand Casablanca-Settat was the worst affected, recording 259 new cases and two deaths. The next worst-hit region is The Oriental (47 new cases, no deaths), followed by Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (35 new cases, no deaths) and Marrakech-Safi, where 29 new cases were found and one death occurred over the past 24 hours.

Rabat-Sale-Kenitra reported 24 new cases and no deaths, followed by Souss Massa (11 new cases, no deaths) and Beni-Mellal-Khenifra, which reported four cases and one death.

The rest of Morocco reported not a single COVID-19 death. 

Fez, as well as the southern and more remote regions of Morocco, appear to be only mildly affected by COVID-19. Dakhla-Oued Eddahab reported no new cases, while Fez-Meknes detected three. Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra detected four new cases while Guelmim-Oued Noun reported two new cases.

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Zambia’s Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji and Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s minister of foreign affairs, african cooperation and Moroccan expatriates, attended the event welcoming the new officials to their post.

From today, Zambia will be represented in Morocco’s capital by Ambassador Eliphas Chinyonga as well as Consul Kelvin Malisase who will head Zambia’s consulate in Laayoune.

The new diplomatic missions intend to build on positive relations and improve interactions between Morocco and Zambia, as well as promote trade and development. 

The two African nations have been working together intensively over the few past years to increase economic activity. These efforts have resulted in a 25% increase in bilateral economic activity, which the two friendly nations are keen to extend even further.

The new diplomatic missions, which were originally opened in October, will improve dialogue between the country and enable further cooperation on key issues.

As a sign of positive relations, Zambia again emphasized its “active support” for Morocco’s diplomatic efforts surrounding the Western Sahara issue. 

Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Malanji stated that relations with Morocco were “solid” and that Zambia supports the “legitimate positions of Morocco.”

Nasser Bourita added that “we often exchange on our bilateral relations and on regional issues, especially within the African continent and within the framework of the African Union.”

Today’s diplomatic formalities additionally served to dispel rumors surrounding Zambia’s consulate in Laayoune. Algerian media had reported that Zambia had withdrawn its consulate in Laayoune, something Zambian officials simply described as “false.”

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During a live broadcast, Kay said her sister who lives in Morocco has received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Meanwhile, the reporter and her husband, who live in the US, have not received an injection yet. 

While some countries are still behind on their COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Morocco has received recognition for its efforts and the speed at which it has managed to launch a successful vaccination drive. 

Morocco receives its vaccines from AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. 

King Mohammed VI launched the initiative, which began on January 28. It has since reached over 3,745,173 people. 

The campaign is targeting 33 million Moroccans, which is 80% of the country’s population.

The number of Moroccans who received the second shot reached 413,032 and the number of cases has significantly decreased this past month.  

Some countries, like Spain, Germany, and Italy, however, are still falling behind on their vaccination efforts. 

The comment Katty Kay made is not a mere comparison between the two countries. Morocco has indeed surpassed the expectations of many by securing large numbers of vaccines for Moroccans and distributing them for free.  

The WHO placed Morocco among the first 10 countries that have “successfully completed the challenge of vaccination” against COVID-19.

The pandemic has affected the world in unprecedented ways. Discussions around the vaccine have taken the media by storm and have created a large controversy. 

The distribution of vaccines across the world has been unfair and uneven. While economically and politically strong countries secured large amounts of the vaccines, some countries are unable to get enough shots for their citizens. “At this critical moment, vaccine equity is the biggest moral test before the global community,” said the UN secretary general. 

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The leaked video shows two men complaining about the mistreatment and poor conditions they face from the prison management.

The first man who appears in the video said he was subjected to torture despite his health condition.

The man said he is suffering from complications due to lung surgery.

His health condition meant he should be transferred to hospital, however, the Polisario Front did not allow him to leave.

The second prisoner also reported torture and neglect, complaining about racism in prison.

One of the prisoners also spoke of prisoners being raped by leading members of the Polisario Front.

The prisoner said that the facility hosts people with mental illness, minors, and people with special disabilities.

Edhibia has appeared in several reports on torture and inhumane conditions.

In 2019, pro-Polisario news outlet Futuro Sahara published an investigation, criticizing human rights violations in the prison.

The report recounted the case of Sahrawi detainees.

The investigation said that the prison has only seven cells, with scores of prisoners.

The report drew attention to the use of torture and solitary confinement.

“A minor mistake can lead a prisoner to an isolated cell, abuse, physical torture from the gendarmerie. If ever one dies in the prison [ due to torture] there is nothing easier than making it seem like a suicide.”

Futuro Sahara described the prison as one of the worst jails in North Africa.

In 2019, families of former convicted activists cited the torture and inhumane conditions prisoners face.

One of the activists described the conditions in the prison as “miserable.”

The 2020 annual UN Secretary-General report on the situation in Western Sahara listed a series of struggles Sahrawis are facing in Tindouf.

The UNHCR estimates the number of Sahrawis living in the region to be 90,000.

The UN frequently reports on malnutrition and diseases Sahrawis face due to the struggles they face in the camps.

The UN Chief, Antonio Guterres, stressed the hunger pandemic and a high prevalence of anemia afflicting “Sahrawi refugee children and women” in the camps.

The hunger pandemic, according to Guterres, has prevailed in the camps for several years.

Several NGOs and governments lashed out at Polisario, calling on Algeria to shoulder its responsibility and engage in the UN-led political process to find a mutually acceptable solution to end the Western Sahara conflict.

Although Algeria hosts, finances, and arms Polisario members, the country claims that the solution to the conflict should be between Polisario and Morocco.

The UN Human Rights Council, however, put a spotlight on Algeria’s responsibility in the human rights violations against distressed Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps.

On March 1, Sahrawi human rights activist Adnane Braih spoke about the situation of the Sahrawis during the 46th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the meeting, Braih condemned “the silence in the camps of Tindouf in the southwest of Algeria, where the Polisario and its armed militants are sowing terror.”

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Meanwhile, Moroccan Minister of Tourism Nadia Fettah Alaoui, accompanying the delegation over the three-day visit, expressed Morocco’s commitment to hosting a “historic” General Assembly. She also stressed the importance of reviving international tourism in a safe and sustainable way.

“Tourism is adapting to the new reality and we face the future with optimism and with the backing of our Members,” noted Pololikashvili.

Read also: Global Tourism Suffered its ‘Worst Year on Record’ in 2020

Moroccan Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani and Nasser Bourita, minister of foreign affairs, both welcomed the UNWTO secretary-general in Rabat. The Moroccan politicians underlined the importance of high-level support from the host country in organizing such events.

In June 2020, UNWTO in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) pledged to support the recovery of the tourism sector across the economies where the Bank invests, including Morocco.

UNWTO commits to providing technical assistance to identify markets that can help accelerate recovery, addressing product diversification, and re-formulating strategies for marketing, such as promotional activities.

The Moroccan tourism sector, which lost out on $4.77 billion (MAD 42.4 billion) in 2020 due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions, is looking for the means to give the country an economic boost in a post-pandemic world.

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During the operation, police seized 3.3 tonnes of cannabis resin, a statement from Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) said today.

The police seized the cannabis resin in a truck bearing fake plates.

The driver abandoned the truck in a rural area of the city.

Police found the drugs concealed in 100 packs.

Security services opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the case and arrest all suspects involved.

Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance collaborated in the security operation.

The operation comes a few days after police seized 4 tonnes of cannabis resin in the city of Asilah, northern Morocco.

Police identified the operation as an international drug trafficking attempt.

Moroccan police arrested 97,564 people for their involvement in drug trafficking in 2020. The number represents a decline of 23% compared to 2019.

Last year, police also seized 217.323 kilograms of cannabis resin and its derivatives. The number represents an increase of 37 tonnes compared to 2019.

Morocco’s police seized 132 kilograms of cocaine, 476,923 psychotropic pills, eight kilograms of heroin, and more than 217 tonnes of cannabis in 2020.

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