Latest news with #NizarBaraka
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Mauritania to open new road crossing linking Es-Smara to Bir Oum Grine via Amgala
Mauritania is moving forward with plans to open a new border crossing that will link the Moroccan city of Es-Smara to Bir Oum Grine via Amgala, according to Nouakchott-based news outlet The report notes that Mauritania's Interior Ministry has officially approved the new crossing, and construction is already underway on the road connecting Smara to the international border through Amgala. This new crossing, set to become the second between Morocco and Mauritania after El Guerguerate, comes as the Mauritanian Ministry of Equipment and Transport unveiled a major infrastructure push on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The initiative includes plans for new railways, roads, and bridges. Mohamed Mokhtar Ould Sid Ahmed, Director of Programming and Cooperation at the ministry, said one of the flagship projects involves building a railway line connecting Choum, Akjoujt, and the capital Nouakchott. «Choum is a strategic point near the Moroccan border, and this railway will provide an efficient logistical link between Nouakchott and the northern regions», he explained. «It is expected to become a new trade and mobility corridor between Mauritania and Morocco, complementing the existing El Guerguerate-Nouadhibou border post». This growing cooperation between Morocco and Mauritania was also the focus of a meeting held in Rabat on February 20, 2024, between Morocco's Minister of Equipment, Nizar Baraka, and his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Aly Ould Sidi Mohamed.
Ya Biladi
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's Istiqlal Party urges Spain's People's Party to clarify position on Sahara
The Istiqlal Party (PI) has voiced concern over the Spanish People's Party's (PP) ambiguity on the Moroccan Sahara issue. The message was conveyed by PI Secretary-General Nizar Baraka in a letter addressed to Alberto Núñez Feijóo, recently re-elected as head of the PP during its congress in Madrid. «We express our deep concern about the lack of clarity from the People's Party regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, especially at a time when there is growing international support for the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty», Baraka wrote. He emphasized that Morocco's autonomy proposal, presented in 2007, is «the only realistic and credible framework to resolve this artificial conflict», and highlighted the international momentum behind it, namely backing from the United States, 22 European countries including France and the UK, as well as numerous African, Arab, Latin American, and Asian nations. Baraka also expressed surprise that the PP, despite its political influence and membership in the European People's Party (EPP), has not aligned itself with this global consensus. He argued that Morocco's solution would help «ensure stability in the Maghreb and the Sahel» and «reduce irregular migration by fostering development and job creation in the region», a key issue for both the Spanish right and far right. Baraka concluded by expressing hope that «the People's Party will act with clarity and strategic vision, in line with this historic moment and the exemplary relationship between our two countries, one that we must continue to strengthen as political parties». The Istiqlal Party, the PP, and Morocco's National Rally of Independents (RNI), led by Aziz Akhannouch, are all members of the Centrist Democrat International. During its 11th congress, the PP reaffirmed its support for «respect for international law and United Nations resolutions regarding Western Sahara», according to a document shared with attendees. Ahead of the July 23, 2023 legislative elections, a Spanish media outlet reported that the PP was maintaining direct contact with Moroccan officials, particularly with the Istiqlal Party. The Spanish conservative party reportedly assured Rabat that no major shift in its stance on the Sahara issue would occur if it won the election.
Morocco World
10-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Sets Sights on 2030 Water Security with Boost to Desalination, Dam Projects
Rabat – Morocco is pushing ahead with its seawater desalination efforts, aiming to reach an annual production capacity of 1.7 billion cubic meters by 2030. The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, shared the update on Wednesday in Rabat after a high-level meeting on water strategy led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Baraka explained that the meeting focused on the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020–2027. Alongside the progress on desalination, the program also includes the reshaping of some dam plans and a push to complete construction on priority sites. Despite recent signs of relief, Morocco continues to face high pressure on its water reserves. Temperatures have risen sharply in recent days, putting added strain on available supplies. Baraka said that while some improvement can be seen, many rural areas and villages still deal with limited access to drinking water. To address the shortfall, authorities have brought in more water tankers and launched urgent actions tied to dam infrastructure and water management. The minister said his department, working with other agencies, has taken steps to secure stable water access during the summer. These efforts include mobilizing local and regional resource and wasting less water. In January, Morocco's agricultural dams held 3.71 billion cubic meters of water which stands for a filling rate of 26%, according to Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture. He also pointed to Morocco's efforts to accelerate seawater desalination projects, which looks to produce over 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water by 2030 to support coastal cities and ease the strain on traditional water sources, which can be redirected to agriculture. Additionally, a key project is the Dakhla desalination plant, which boasts an annual capacity of 37 million cubic meters and is 70% complete. Tags: agriculturedesalinationMoroccowater deficit
Morocco World
09-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Launches Construction of $36 Million Third Phase of Fez-Taounate Expressway
Rabat – Morocco's Ministry of Equipment launched the construction works for the third phase of the expressway connecting Fez to Taounate, with a total budget of approximately MAD 324 million ($36 million). The expressway between Fez and Taounate is 19 kilometers long and will link Provincial Road No. 5319 to the entrance of the Ain Kansra commune. Minister of Equipment Nizar Baraka launched the construction project on Tuesday during his visit to the province of Taounate to assess the progress of the ongoing expansion works of National Road No. 8. The overall project covers 73 kilometers, involving a total budget of MAD 1.56 billion ($173.4 million). Baraka said the project will significantly reduce travel time between Fez and Taounate, improving road safety and reducing traffic accidents along this key route. The large-scale project is part of a partnership between the Ministry of Equipment and the Fez-Meknes Regional Council. It is also part of the Fez-Meknes Regional Development Program. Baraka also reviewed a series of road projects that have been completed or are under construction, and those planned in the province of Taounate. For these projects, MAD 380 million ($42.2 million) was put towards the construction and engineering of the expressway, MAD 302 million ($33.5 million) went towards reducing regional disparities, and MAD 82 million ($9 million) went towards maintenance, widening, and reinforcing the road infrastructure. The North African country has been pledging to advance its expressways to facilitate cross-country travel. Recently, the Moroccan government announced a $1.25 billion strategic highway infrastructure project ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The investment agreement, which covers the period from 2025 to 2032, focuses on three major projects, including the Continental Rabat-Casablanca Highway, the Tit Mellil-Berrechid Highway, and transforming the Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf junctions. Tags: infrastructureinfrastructure in Morocco
Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Accelerates Highway Construction with 1,200 Kilometers of New Routes
Rabat — Morocco is embarking on an ambitious infrastructure expansion with nearly 300 kilometers of expressways currently under construction and an additional 900 kilometers planned across various regional development projects, Equipment and Water Minister Nizar Baraka announced Monday. Speaking during a session dedicated to parliamentary questions in the House of Representatives, Baraka outlined the scope of Morocco's highway development program, which encompasses major cross-country connections and regional infrastructure improvements designed to boost economic development and connectivity across the country. Major expressway projects Among the flagship projects, the minister mentioned the expressway linking Tiznit to Dakhla, a strategic route that will connect Morocco's Atlantic coast with its southern regions. The project portfolio also includes the Fez-Taounate expressway via National Road 8, which will improve connections to the northern regions. Infrastructure development around Morocco's key ports features prominently in the plans, with a dedicated link to the Nador West Med port designed to enhance the facility's connectivity to the national transportation network. Meanwhile, the Tetouan-Chefchaouen expressway via National Road 2 will further strengthen northern Morocco's road infrastructure. Regional development projects include Agadir's northeastern ring road and urban highway, reflecting the government's focus on improving traffic flow in major urban centers. The expansion of National Road 6 to three lanes between Dar Sekka and Sidi Allal El Bahraoui, along with the Sidi Yahya-Sidi Kacem expressway via National Road 4, will enhance connectivity in central Morocco. Regional partnership initiatives The minister also announced progress on the widening of Regional Road 710 connecting Khenifra to Boujaad over 85 kilometers. This project, developed under a partnership agreement for road infrastructure projects in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region, is part of the State-Region program contract (2020-2022) with an estimated cost of MAD 364 million ($36.4 million). Baraka noted that execution studies for the nine-meter widening project have reached an advanced stage, indicating imminent commencement of construction work. Highway network expansion The ministry is accelerating construction of the Guercif-Nador highway, a 104-kilometer route requiring an investment of approximately 7.9 billion dirhams. The project will directly connect the Nador West Med port to Morocco's national highway network, significantly improving cargo transportation efficiency. Through the National Highway Company of Morocco (ADM), the ministry continues work on the Tit Mellil-Berrechid highway spanning 30 kilometers, as well as the 59-kilometer continental Rabat-Casablanca highway, both critical for improving connections between Morocco's economic centers. Strategic infrastructure investment The comprehensive highway development program represents Morocco's commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure as part of broader economic development strategies. The projects span from the Atlantic coast to inland regions, with particular focus on connecting ports, industrial zones, and regional centers. The initiative reflects the government's recognition of transportation infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic growth, facilitating trade, tourism, and regional development across the country. With construction already underway on multiple fronts and additional projects in planning phases, Morocco is positioning itself for enhanced connectivity and economic competitiveness in the coming years. The country is also preparing for two upcoming prestigious football tournaments, AFCON 2025 and 2030 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. Tags: ADMexpresswayhighways in Morocconational road
