Morocco-US relations : From diplomacy to energy
Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, met with her American counterpart, Chris Wright, on Tuesday, March 11, in Houston, United States. This «constructive meeting» was an opportunity to explore «valuable opportunities for enhanced cooperation in #energy and strategic bilateral investments», stated Morocco's ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, on X.
In Houston, on the margins of @CERAWeek, Minister Leila Benali held a constructive meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary @SecretaryWright, exploring valuable opportunities for enhanced cooperation in #energy and strategic bilateral investments. #Africa was a key focus, reflecting… pic.twitter.com/IcHcVudIVX
— Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) March 11, 2025
«Africa was a key focus, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusive prosperity and the continent's energy security», the diplomat added.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of Benali's participation in an international energy conference. She was also scheduled to take part in discussions on Monday, March 10, focused on energy security challenges.
At #CERAWeek in Houston, Minister Leila Benali highlighted Morocco's Atlantic Corridor initiative, a strategic project enhancing energy connectivity between #Africa, #Europe, and the #Atlantic basin. With Africa's 400 million consumers in focus, the initiative underscores the… pic.twitter.com/WrUth3jnW1
— Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) March 12, 2025
Last week, the steering committee of «Morocco's Green Hydrogen Offer», chaired by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, selected the American company Ortus, a member of the ORNX consortium, for an ammonia production project in the Sahara.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
France, Morocco Agree on Roadmap to Jumpstart Energy Cooperation
Doha – Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, has held strategic discussions with her French counterpart in Paris to advance bilateral cooperation on major energy projects. Benali met with Marc Ferracci during her working visit to Paris on Friday, with the pair pledging to strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries. The meeting focused on accelerating their two countries' partnership in renewable energy, electric interconnection, and low-carbon transition. This high-level encounter builds upon Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Morocco in October 2024, which the French president made at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. That diplomatic milestone resulted in several major agreements, including an ambitious strategic partnership in energy, electrical interconnections, and low-carbon transition. At the center of discussions was the innovative electrical interconnection project between France and Morocco. The bidirectional 'off-grid' underwater connection requires installing a cable at unprecedented depths. Both ministers reviewed the technical and regulatory steps needed to launch an international market test for this groundbreaking project. Holding shared commitments Industrial cooperation featured prominently in the talks. The ministers examined joint investment opportunities in renewable energy sectors, including cable manufacturing, solar and wind energy, battery production, and the development of strategic industrial components. 'Green molecules' such as hydrogen and ammonia were also on the agenda. Officials identified their potential use in land, air, and maritime transport, while calling attention to the need for coordinated industrial integration in these emerging sectors. Both parties stressed the importance of collaborative research and innovation, particularly around cutting-edge technologies like energy storage, electrolyzers, and sustainable mobility. They shared a commitment to developing concrete and competitive solutions. The meeting concluded with renewed political and institutional commitments from both countries. Their stated goal is to develop model projects that will contribute to energy sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and climate transition acceleration. This partnership aligns with the royal vision of establishing Morocco as a regional clean energy hub and a key player in the international climate response. Read also: Portugal Turns to Morocco Power Link as France Blocks EU Grid Tags: leila benaliMorocco France Relations
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Two Sahrawis from Tindouf arrested in Spain on terrorism charges
In Spain, Basque police arrested two young Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps on Wednesday in the province of Álava. They are accused of «collaboration with jihadist organizations» and «glorifying terrorism». On Friday, the two suspects appeared before an investigating judge specializing in terrorism cases at the National Court in Madrid. Following the hearing, the magistrate ordered that one of the suspects remain in custody, while the other was released under judicial supervision. Notably, most Spanish media outlets covering the arrests, particularly those in the Basque region, did not disclose the origins of the individuals detained. «One of the suspects is reportedly a close associate of the new Polisario representative in Algiers, Khatri Addouh. Since Wednesday, Polisario representatives in Spain have been actively pressuring Basque media not to disclose the alleged terrorists' links to the Tindouf camps», a Moroccan source told Yabiladi. It is worth recalling that for several months, American think tanks and political figures have been lobbying the Trump administration to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization.
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Receives First Oshkosh M-ATV Armored Vehicles for Desert Units
Doha – The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have recently taken delivery of their first fleet of M-ATV Standard Base (SXB) tactical armored vehicles manufactured by the American company Oshkosh Defense. These vehicles are specifically designed to equip ground forces deployed in the Saharan and eastern regions of the country. According to converging reports, the port of Casablanca received a special shipment, with the vehicles appearing in recent pictures circulating across military forums. The armored vehicles combine mobility, ballistic protection, and operational capability in asymmetric environments. The delivery is part of the Special Defense Acquisition Fund (SDAF) established by the Pentagon and the US State Department to finance the purchase of defense equipment and services for transfer to allied partners and international organizations. The M-ATV vehicles, in service with the US Army since 2009, are equipped with Plasan composite armor compliant with STANAG 4569 level 4/3b/4 standards, providing effective resistance against 14.5 mm caliber fire, 8-kilogram anti-tank mines, and artillery fragments at a distance of 30 meters. These protection features ensure crew safety in high-risk contexts, particularly during operations in unstable areas. Each of these vehicles can be equipped with 7.62 mm M240 machine guns, 12.7 mm M2 heavy machine guns, 40 mm Mk19 automatic grenade launchers, or BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile launchers. This weapons diversity allows field units to adapt to different threats and engage various targets effectively. Under the hood, the Caterpillar C7 turbocharged diesel engine delivers 370 horsepower, coupled with an Allison 3500SP six-speed automatic transmission. The Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension, combined with a robust design, allows these armored vehicles to reach a maximum speed of 105 km/h on roads while ensuring excellent maneuverability on rough terrain. Read also: Morocco's $260 Million Javelin Missile Purchase Gets US Approval Their operational range reaches approximately 510 kilometers, an important asset for long-distance operations in remote areas. In parallel, Morocco has also ordered HET A1 heavy logistics tractors equipped with specialized 635NL trailers, with delivery expected from summer 2025. Designed for moving oversized military equipment, these heavy transport vehicles are powered by a 700-horsepower Caterpillar C18 engine and feature a robust transmission system. 'We are proud to support the Kingdom in structuring its logistics capabilities by providing high-tonnage tractors for transporting the heaviest equipment,' Pat Williams, Oshkosh Defense's program director, said at the time of the official announcement in September 2024. 'This order reflects the confidence in our expertise in tactical mobility and advanced ground support.' The HET A1 tractors are equipped with two high-capacity winches, each capable of pulling nearly 25 tons, and benefit from advanced suspension and modular protections according to the Long-Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) doctrine. These features guarantee the safety of equipment and crews, even in hostile and complex environments. The M-ATV SXB version received by the FAR is the basic variant, while a distinct model intended for special forces—designated M-ATV SXF—is characterized by several structural differences not yet included in the contracts notified to Morocco. The M-ATVs will reinforce the Brimoto (motorized brigades) units deployed in the country's Saharan and eastern regions. Tags: Moroccan MilitaryRoyal Armed Forces (FAR)
