May 24, 2007
- Driss Benzekri, a former political prisoner under the Hassan II regime and later, the head of Morocco’s Truth and Reconciliation commission, died on May 21 of stomach cancer at age 57.
- 26 people were arrested at a Morocco-Netherlands youth soccer match after Dutch Moroccan fans threw objects from the stands and rushed the field. There has been a 5-year ban placed on youth matches between the two countries.
- The UN has shut its refugee office in Rabat after sub-Saharan African migrants stormed the building to demand more aid. The UNHCR says there are 600 registered refugees in Morocco, plus nearly 10,000 illegal migrants (BBC News).
- The 11th Arab congress for disaster services opened on Wednesday in Morocco.
- Morocco lengthened prison terms for two activists in Laayoune, Western Sahara. Brahim Sabbar and Ahmed Sbai have already served one year and are being sentenced to another six months.
- Morocco and Saudi Arabia announced the launching of strategic ties which could facilitate major arms purchases in Morocco. Other agreements were made, including one in which Rabat would become a major ally of Riyadh.
May 24th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Thank you for the update. I read about those meeting with Saudi Arabia, makes my teeth itch. I don’t think that bodes well for the political situation in Morocco. I do hope I am wrong. I want to be wrong on this one.
I sent my e-mail to the embassy. They sent some bs about opening when they damn well want to sounds like.
May 25th, 2007 at 11:53 am
I agree; I don’t think it bodes well at all.
I sent an email too and got the same BS.