Latest news with #Algerian
Ya Biladi
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and Algeria allies clash in PARLACEN over Western Sahara issue
The Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) recently became the scene of a diplomatic standoff between allies of Morocco and Algeria. During a plenary session held on May 28 in Panama City, José Antonio Zepeda, vice president of PARLACEN's leftist group and representative of Nicaragua, a country with longstanding ties to the so-called «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)» read out a declaration of support for the «SADR». The text described the entity as the «sole and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people», claiming it is backed by the African Union and over 80 countries worldwide. The declaration also praised «the diplomatic and political efforts of the Polisario Front, its legitimate political organization», aimed at implementing the 1991 Peace Agreement that calls for a self-determination referendum. It urged the international community to enforce the agreement and allow the Sahrawi people to freely determine their future. The statement, aligned with Algeria's position on the Sahara, drew sharp criticism from Guatemalan lawmakers. On June 12, thirteen PARLACEN members from Guatemala issued a counter-declaration in support of Morocco's territorial integrity. In their response, the MPs expressed «gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco as a friendly state and strategic partner of PARLACEN, committed to peace, development, and cooperation among nations». They also called on PARLACEN's presidency to ensure that institutional statements reflect the legitimate consensus of all members and are not used to promote individual ideological agendas, in order to preserve the forum's credibility and neutrality. The political tug-of-war between Morocco and Algeria-aligned camps within PARLACEN appears to be escalating. This week, a delegation of Nicaraguan MPs who sit in PARLACEN arrived in Algiers for a visit. On Tuesday, they met with Mohamed Khouane, president of the Foreign Affairs, Community Affairs, and Cooperation Committee of Algeria's National People's Assembly (APN). According to the Nicaraguan delegation, the visit aimed to «initiate political and diplomatic dialogue with the Algerian National People's Assembly». The lawmakers were also received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Secretary of State in charge of the Algerian community abroad. Talks reportedly focused on «strengthening friendship and cooperation between Algeria and PARLACEN, with the goal of creating a new dynamic in parliamentary relations and joint initiatives with member states of this regional legislative body», according to a statement by Algerian diplomacy. For context, Algeria's lower house signed a memorandum of understanding with PARLACEN on December 4, 2024, in Panama City. PARLACEN includes six member states: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Algeria also holds observer status in the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) since September 2024. Despite Algeria's push, Morocco enjoys significant support within PARLACEN. On May 2, during a visit to Laâyoune, the body's president, Carlos René Hernández, publicly reaffirmed the Moroccan identity of the Sahara.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Dortmund held by Fluminense at Club World Cup
Fluminense's midfielder Jhon Arias fights for the ball with Borussia Dortmund's Algerian defender Ramy Bensebaini during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Photo: AFP Borussia Dortmund were held to a 0-0 draw by Fluminense at the Club World Cup on Tuesday, as Brazilian teams maintained their unbeaten record so far in the competition. Rio de Janeiro powerhouses Fluminense were the more dangerous team throughout the Group F game played at the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, just outside New York City. However, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel turned a Jhon Arias shot around the post in the first half, before Matheus Martinelli drilled an effort narrowly wide. Fluminense -- captained by 40-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea defender Thiago Silva -- were a threat on the break throughout and should have scored at the end of a counter midway into the second half, but Agustin Canobbio shot straight at Kobel. The Dortmund goalkeeper then produced a fine save low down to deny Everaldo as the match ended in stalemate. "We saw it was a tough game as we expected. Fluminense is a top team, very ball-possession based," Dortmund coach Niko Kovac told broadcaster DAZN. "They played very good. We had some difficulties, especially in the first half. In the second half I would say it was better but overall it was a lucky point for us." Fluminense qualified for the tournament by virtue of their triumph in the Copa Libertadores in 2023. Their performance against a European heavyweight, UEFA Champions League finalists last year, is further evidence that Brazilian teams can hope to make a real impact in FIFA's new-look competition. Their great rivals Flamengo beat Esperance of Tunisia 2-0 on Monday and face Chelsea next. Palmeiras drew 0-0 with Porto in their opening game while Botafogo, the reigning Brazilian and South American champions, defeated Seattle Sounders of MLS 2-1 on Sunday. Dortmund, who gave a debut off the bench to teenage English midfielder Jobe Bellingham following his recent arrival from Sunderland, did not seriously threaten until a late Niklas Suele long-ranger. Kovac, whose team finished fourth in the Bundesliga, insisted the conditions had a significant impact on the game. "The pitch isn't so easy for us. I think the humidity also wasn't so easy for all the players, although the Brazilians are more used to it," he said. "It was hard for us, we were running a lot, but overall we can live with a point." The Germans will hope to get their first win when they play Mamelodi Sundowns next. Sundowns, of South Africa, take on Ulsan HD of South Korea in the day's other Group F match in Orlando.
El Chorouk
2 days ago
- Sport
- El Chorouk
Fennecs' Most Notable Achievements This Season
Algeria's national team stars achieved significant accomplishments during the past season, combining remarkable performances with their various clubs and winning several important titles in multiple championships. Meanwhile, observers anticipate lucrative deals by some of the most prominent names, who are likely to follow in the footsteps of Rayan Ait Nouri, who officially joined Manchester City in a significant deal from both a financial and sporting perspective. Most observers have praised the remarkable prominence of a considerable number of Algerian players in various European and Arab championships, based on their contributions to achieving qualitative results, whether individual or collective, as well as the important offers received by some of the 'Fennec' stars to wear the colors of major clubs in well-known championships, most notably Rayan Ait Nouri, who signed a five-year contract with Manchester City for 35 million euros. Ait Nouri joins the prestigious British club, where former Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez previously excelled before moving to the Saudi League two seasons ago. He becomes the sixth Algerian player to play for Manchester City, following Ali Benarbia, Karim Kerkar, Djamel Belmadi, Djamel Abdoun, and finally Riyad Mahrez. The summer transfer window suggests the possibility of concluding several important deals with Algerian players who have captured the spotlight this season, like Yassine Benzia, who may have moved to the Saudi Pro League, and Ismael Benacer, who is likely to return to the Italian League. Meanwhile, the national championship launched its first export, featuring Paradou AC player and season top scorer Adil Boulbina, who officially joined Qatari club Al-Duhail, which signed the former Algerian team's coach Djamel Belmadi. Nevertheless, several Algerian players crowned champions in various championships during the recent season, reflecting their remarkable prominence, which will open broader horizons for other football talents seeking to impose themselves by excelling at a high level. In this regard, striker Youcef Belaili and defender Mohamed Tougai have excelled with Sportive Esperance of Tunis by winning the Tunisian League twice (championship and cup) and reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. They are participating in their club in the Club World Cup, alongside two other Algerians: Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund) and Rayan Ait Nouri, who recently joined Manchester City. While Riyad Mahrez contributed to the victory of his Saudi club Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League, Amin Chiakha also won the Danish League and the Cup with his club Copenhagen in his first pro season. Al-Sadd SC won the Qatari Championship, achieving this victory thanks to the significant contributions of three Algerian players: Youcef Atal, Adam Ounas, and Abdessamad Bounacer. Houssem Aouar won two Saudi League titles: the Pro League championship and the King's Cup with his club Al-Ittihad of Jeddah. Yacine Brahimi won the Emir's Cup with his Qatari club Al-Gharafa, while Yassine Benzia won the Azerbaijani Cup with his club Qarabag FK. These significant achievements, according to sports documentation researcher Adel Haddad, have increased the number of Algerian internationals' titles this season to 14, including 11 Arab championships. He explained that the individual prowess of several Fennecs in terms of their scoring instincts, such as Bounedjah in the Saudi League with 19 goals, Belaili in the Tunisian championship (18 goals), and Mahrez in the Saudi League with 17 goals. Not to forget the amazing performance of Algerian players who have each made over 40 appearances for their respective clubs, such as Benzia, Hadjam, Mahrez, Bensebaini, Hadj Moussa, Ait Nouri, and Zerkane. Many observers believe that such numbers and titles will boost the Algerian players' stock in various Arab and European championships, especially since this will open wider horizons for players seeking to establish themselves at a high level, to follow in the footsteps of many of the 'Fennecs' stars, such as Mahrez, Aouar, Ait Nouri, Belaili and others. This makes it an important opportunity to trade the names of many Algerian football stars in the summer transfer market to conclude quality deals that allow them to shine with well-known and prominent clubs and championships.
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QatarEnergy wins onshore exploration licence in Algeria
Tribune News Network Doha QatarEnergy has won an onshore exploration license in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria as part of the 'Algeria Bid Round 2024', marking its first entry into Algeria's upstream sector. The results of the competitive bid process were announced by The National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources, awarding exploration and production rights for the onshore Ahara Block to a consortium comprising of QatarEnergy with an effective interest of 24.5 percent, TotalEnergies (the operator during the exploration phase) with an effective interest of 24.5 percent, and Algeria's national state-owned oil company 'Sonatrach' with an effective interest of 51percent. Commenting on this award, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said, 'We are delighted to be awarded the Ahara Block, which marks our first entry into Algeria's upstream sector and further and expands our footprint in Africa.' Al Kaabi added, 'I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Algerian Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies and ALNAFT on the successful management of this bid round. We look forward to a successful and collaborative exploration endeavor with the Ministry alongside ALNAFT, Sonatrach, andTotalEnergies.' Located in eastern Algeria at the intersection of the prolific Berkine and Illizi Basins, the Ahara Block covers an area of approximately 14,900 km².
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco, Rwanda Deepen Military Ties Amid Algeria's Provocations
Rabat — Morocco and Rwanda are boosting cooperation in all fields, including the military sector. Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi received today his counterpart from Rwanda, Juvenal Marizamunda. The Rwandan defense minister led a high-level delegation to Morocco on a working visit as part of efforts to strengthen and diversify bilateral relations between the two countries. During his visit, Moroccan and Rwandan representatives signed a military cooperation agreement, covering collaboration in the areas of training, drills, and exercises, as well as technical assistance, military health, and the exchange of experiences and expertise. A statement from the National Defense Administration said the agreement also provides for the establishment of a joint military commission, which will define the areas of cooperation and hold meetings. During the meeting, officials also discussed ways to further boost bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and emphasized the positive and constructive roles of the two countries in promoting stability, security, and peace. The signing of the agreement between Morocco and Rwanda could be as an explicit response to recent attempts by the Algerian regime to undermine the Moroccan-Rwandan relations. The agreement came a few weeks following the visit of the Rwandan President to Algiers, which was exploited by Algerian authorities to challenge Morocco's territorial integrity. Earlier this month, Algeria's regime disseminated false information regarding Rwanda's alleged support for the Polisario Front's separatist agenda in Western Sahara. Pro-Polisario websites, including Algeria's regime press agency, claimed that President Paul Kagame reaffirmed Kigali's support for its self-determination and referendum claims during a press conference with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The claims were clearly and directly refuted by Kigali merely hours after the Polisario press and Algeria's news agency had run their reports. In stark contrast to the statement reported by the Algerian state media, Kagama's official website published an official press statement detailing his remarks with no explicit or implicit mention of Rwanda's support for the Polisario. King Mohammed VI's historic visit to Rwanda in 2016 served as a foundation for the strong ties between the two countries, which have constantly pledged to strengthen relations at many levels. In particular, the two countries have constantly emphfasized the need to expand bilateral ties in agriculture, trade, and high-level political cooperation on a wide range of strategic challenges facing the continent. During the monarch's visit, the two countries signed several agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding on a political consultation mechanism, an air service pact, an agreement on the exemption of visas, and a deal on security cooperation and tourism.
