Defense lawyers said 13 of the defendants received eight-month prison terms and were due for release after completing their sentences. Two others were handed one-year sentences with 10 months to be served in detention, while three individuals received suspended 12-month terms after previously being released pending trial.

The case also includes six minors, who are scheduled to appear before the court on June 19. Four of them remain in pretrial detention, while two were released pending proceedings, according to defence lawyer El Hassan Essonni.

The prosecutions stem from protests that erupted in September 2025, led by a youth movement that called for reforms in public healthcare and education.

Authorities said the demonstrations, which took place across several cities, resulted in widespread arrests after gatherings were initially banned.

According to data cited by prosecutors, more than 2,400 people have been prosecuted in connection with the protests, while over 1,400 were held in detention by October last year. Police carried out hundreds of arrests in the early days of the unrest.

The protests included episodes of violence in some areas, including Agadir, where three people were killed in clashes. Organizers of the movement have maintained that their demonstrations were intended to be nonviolent.

Morocco authorities continue to process cases linked to the unrest as courts handle trials arising from the broader protest movement.

Algeria-Three members of the Polisario Front, including the son of the movement’s late longtime leader Mohamed Abdelaziz, were killed during an operation targeting Morocco’s defensive barrier in Western Sahara, the independence group said, underscoring continuing tensions in the disputed territory.

In a statement carried by the Sahrawi news agency SPS, the movement said Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz had “fallen on the field of honor.” The Polisario subsequently declared three days of mourning.

Lehbib Mohamed Abdelaziz was the son of Mohamed Abdelaziz, the historical leader of the Polisario Front and president of the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), who led the movement from the territory’s independence declaration in 1976 until his death in 2016.

The Polisario said the 37-year-old officer was killed during military action directed against Morocco’s defense system in the disputed territory. The group provided no additional details regarding the circumstances of the operation.

Spanish media reported that a drone strike attributed to Morocco occurred east of the defensive barrier, although no official confirmation was immediately available.

The structure, commonly known as the Sand Wall, stretches approximately 2,700 kilometers across Western Sahara. Morocco constructed the fortified barrier between 1980 and 1987 to limit incursions by Polisario fighters and secure areas under its control.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony rich in mineral resources, remains one of North Africa’s longest-running territorial disputes. Morocco administers most of the territory, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence and claims sovereignty over the region.

A United Nations-backed ceasefire that largely held for nearly three decades collapsed in 2020, prompting the Polisario to resume armed operations against Moroccan forces.

The diplomatic landscape surrounding the dispute shifted further last October when the United Nations Security Council, with support from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, backed a Moroccan proposal that would grant Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

The latest fatalities highlight the continuing security risks in the territory despite ongoing international efforts to find a political solution to the decades-old conflict.

Shams Sadiq, 51, who owns two cafes in Manchester and has publicly supported Palestinian causes, said the approach occurred on May 15 at Ashton-under-Lyne police station when he attended to retrieve electronic devices seized following his arrest last year in connection with alleged offenses linked to Palestine Action.

Sadiq told The Guardian that two officers, whom he believed were connected to Operation Wildflower, a Greater Manchester Police initiative focused on activism-related concerns, informed him they were aware of his involvement with Palestine Action but that no charges would be brought arising from his arrest.

According to Sadiq, the officers then sought his cooperation, telling him there were advantages to assisting authorities. He alleged that financial benefits were discussed and that officers suggested they could overlook certain minor infractions, while making clear that serious crimes would not be tolerated.

Sadiq said the officers also referenced his standing within the local community, leading him to believe they were interested in information about individuals attending mosques or holding extremist views.

The allegations come amid heightened scrutiny of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian activist organization that has faced increased attention from British authorities over direct-action campaigns targeting companies and institutions linked to Israel.

In a separate incident four days before the alleged recruitment attempt, Sadiq said he was stopped and questioned for more than three hours at Manchester Airport under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act after returning from Morocco. He was not arrested but said officers questioned him about Palestine Action, Iran and his financial circumstances, including his mortgage obligations.

Sadiq told The Guardian that his electronic devices were confiscated during the airport stop and later returned following a meeting with officers at the airport. He said the officers were cordial and apologetic during that encounter.

A vocal supporter of Palestinian causes, Sadiq has attended demonstrations and produced stickers for Palestinian organizations and cultural events. Local media previously reported that miniature Israeli flags were placed on the door of one of his cafes following his public activism.

Sadiq said he decided to speak publicly about the alleged recruitment effort because of concerns for his safety and reputation. He said his arrest last year had affected relationships within his community and that he feared ongoing scrutiny despite not being charged.
His solicitor, Simon Pook, said formal representations were being made to Greater Manchester Police regarding the incident.

Pook questioned whether the use of Schedule 7 powers was appropriate if the objective had been to encourage cooperation with law enforcement rather than investigate suspected terrorism-related activity.
Neither police nor other authorities were quoted in the report as responding to the allegations.

The amnesty, which runs through June, is a key element of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s strategy to address labor shortages and support economic growth in a country with an aging population. The measure is expected to benefit migrants working across sectors, including agriculture, where undocumented labor remains widespread.

Among those seeking legal status is Abdelmoujoud Erra, a 27-year-old Moroccan migrant who has spent seven years in Spain working irregular jobs in the greenhouse-dominated province of Almería. He said legal documentation would provide access to formal employment, better wages and greater stability after years of living in informal settlements and relying on day labor.

Almería, home to more than 30,000 hectares of intensive greenhouse cultivation, is the European Union’s largest winter supplier of vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers. The sector exports produce worth around 3 billion euros annually and employs roughly 80,000 workers, according to unions and local authorities.

Industry representatives and labor groups say the regularization program could help address persistent labor shortages while bringing greater stability to a workforce that includes large numbers of undocumented migrants.

Andrés Góngora, coordinator of farmers’ union COAG, said the measure could strengthen workforce availability and support agricultural production by allowing employers to hire workers through formal channels. He added that a larger and more secure labor pool could encourage cultivation of more labor-intensive crops and improve social integration.

Humanitarian organizations have long raised concerns about living and working conditions in the region. Charities estimate that around 10,000 migrants reside in substandard settlements around Almería and that a significant share of agricultural laborers lack legal documentation.

The initiative has become a flashpoint in Spanish politics. The opposition People’s Party argues that large-scale regularization could place additional pressure on public services, while the far-right Vox party has accused the government of using migration to reshape the country’s demographic makeup.

Spain’s population has expanded in recent years, largely driven by immigration. According to estimates from think tank Funcas, approximately 840,000 undocumented migrants currently participate in the labor force.

For many workers, the policy represents a chance to secure legal employment and improve living conditions. Michael Aymaga, a 35-year-old migrant from Ghana living in a settlement near Nijar with limited access to utilities, said obtaining legal status would allow him to contribute more fully to Spanish society and pursue long-term opportunities.

The planned accord, expected to be signed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Mohammed VI, follows the completion of preliminary technical studies for the project, also known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the development was discussed during a telephone conversation last Friday between Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

The pipeline project, first agreed roughly a decade ago, is designed to span about 6,900 kilometers along a hybrid offshore and onshore route linking Nigeria to Morocco through several West African countries.

Amina Benkhadra, head of Morocco’s state hydrocarbons and mining agency ONHYM, told Reuters last month that the project would have a maximum annual capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of gas, including around 15 billion cubic meters intended for Morocco’s domestic market and onward exports to Europe.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by African producers to strengthen regional energy integration and capitalize on European demand for alternative gas supplies following disruptions to global energy markets in recent years.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest natural gas producer, has long sought to expand export infrastructure beyond existing liquefied natural gas facilities, while Morocco has positioned itself as a strategic energy transit hub between Africa and Europe.

The two governments also discussed expanding cooperation in fertilizer production and distribution, highlighting the sector’s role in strengthening food security across Africa, according to the Nigerian foreign ministry.

Both sides further emphasized reviving the Nigeria-Morocco Business Council to encourage trade and investment under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area and an existing bilateral double taxation treaty.

Kabli, 23, who performs under the stage name L7assal and is also a member of the banned but tolerated Islamist movement Al Adl Wal Ihssane, had been sentenced in March after being arrested on charges of insulting a public body and undermining respect for constitutional institutions.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of four years in prison under Moroccan law.Speaking after the appeal hearing in the northeastern city of Taza, lawyer Mohammed Taifi said the ruling was unjustified and argued that his client had only exercised his right to express opinions without intending to offend state institutions or public officials.

“It’s an error of judgment. There was no intention to offend anyone, nor were there any explicitly offensive remarks,” Taifi said.He said Kabli had told the court that his music and social media posts were aimed at expressing views on corruption and foreign policy issues, including Rabat’s decision to normalize relations with Israel, rather than insulting individuals or constitutional bodies.

The case has drawn criticism from rights advocates, with the Moroccan Association for Human Rights calling for Kabli’s release and for all charges to be dropped.The group described the prosecution as a political attempt to restrict freedom of expression and silence dissenting voices.

Morocco normalized ties with Israel in 2020 under a U.S.-backed agreement that generated domestic debate, particularly among Islamist groups and pro-Palestinian activists.

Al Adl Wal Ihssane, though officially banned, remains one of Morocco’s most influential opposition Islamist movements and frequently criticizes government policy.

Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said Bamako considers Morocco’s proposal granting autonomy to Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as “the only serious and credible basis” for resolving the conflict.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony largely controlled by Morocco, remains Africa’s only territory with an unresolved post-colonial status.

The region is also claimed by the Polisario Front, which seeks full independence and advocates for a United Nations-supervised referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people.Mali’s decision comes amid worsening diplomatic ties with Algeria, a key backer of the Polisario Front.

The move is likely to deepen regional tensions, as Algeria and Morocco have long been at odds over the future of the territory.Rabat has promoted its autonomy initiative as a pragmatic solution, while the Polisario Front insists on implementing a 1991 agreement that provides for a referendum on independence under UN oversight.

The geopolitical context has shifted in recent months. In October 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan, signaling growing international backing for Rabat’s position.

The disputed territory is rich in natural resources, including phosphates, and its surrounding waters are considered among the most productive fishing zones in the region, adding economic significance to the political conflict.

In a landmark decision, the United Nations has urged renewed negotiations on Western Sahara based on Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan — a move widely viewed as a breakthrough toward lasting peace, stability, and regional cooperation in North Africa.

The United Nations has marked a pivotal moment in African diplomacy by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most realistic and forward-looking solution to the long-standing territorial dispute.

In a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, the global body emphasized that Morocco’s proposal offers a balanced framework that upholds sovereignty while ensuring self-governance, unity, and development.

The decision reflects growing international recognition of Morocco’s leadership in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation across the Maghreb.

The U.S.-drafted resolution, supported by 11 of the 15 Security Council members, called on all parties to engage in serious, results-oriented negotiations.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz highlighted that genuine dialogue could lead to regional peace within the year, reaffirming the international community’s confidence in Morocco’s diplomatic approach.

This milestone underscores a collective shift toward pragmatic, inclusive, and sustainable conflict resolution that prioritizes stability and human development.

Morocco’s autonomy plan, first introduced in 2007, proposes the creation of an elected legislative, executive, and judicial authority within Western Sahara, giving residents meaningful participation in local governance.

Under this framework, Morocco retains control over defense, foreign affairs, and religious matters — ensuring unity and national integrity while empowering local communities to manage their economic and cultural affairs.

The plan has been widely praised as a model for modern self-determination and regional collaboration.

Following the UN’s announcement, King Mohammed VI hailed the resolution as a “new chapter” in strengthening the “Moroccanness of the Sahara” and advancing peace throughout the region.

The King reiterated his call for “brotherly dialogue” with Algeria, reaffirming Morocco’s unwavering commitment to good-neighborly relations and the Maghreb Union.

His message emphasized partnership over rivalry and prosperity over division, setting a tone of reconciliation and shared progress.

Celebrations erupted across Moroccan cities as thousands waved national flags and chanted patriotic songs to honor the diplomatic victory.

The public’s response reflected not only national pride but also renewed optimism for a peaceful future in which Morocco’s vision of unity and development becomes a regional reality.

This moment also demonstrated the deep bond between Morocco’s people and leadership in shaping a stable and prosperous future.

The Security Council’s decision also renewed the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year, ensuring continued stability while negotiations move forward.

It also called for a strategic review of the mission’s role, aligning it with the political progress expected under Morocco’s inclusive proposal. This highlights the UN’s trust in Morocco’s ability to facilitate peace and cooperation through dialogue and reform.

International support for Morocco’s autonomy plan has steadily grown. The United States, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom have all endorsed Rabat’s initiative, calling it the only viable solution that balances sovereignty with self-determination.

This growing consensus marks a decisive shift in global policy toward a practical and peaceful resolution, strengthening Morocco’s role as a key diplomatic and economic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world.

King Mohammed VI also urged Sahrawi refugees living in the Polisario-run camps in Algeria to embrace autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, calling it a path toward dignity, progress, and national unity.

His appeal highlighted the humanitarian dimension of Morocco’s initiative — one that prioritizes the well-being of all citizens and envisions a future built on coexistence, opportunity, and hope.

The UN’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan represents far more than a political decision — it is a declaration of confidence in a shared vision for peace, prosperity, and cooperation.

As the world watches this new chapter unfold, Morocco’s leadership in diplomacy, governance, and sustainable development stands as a model for resolving complex regional challenges through dialogue, partnership, and vision.

Protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have repeatedly drawn thousands of people in Morocco since the conflict began two months ago, mostly led by pan-Arab and Islamist groups.

Sunday’s march by about 3,000 protesters was the first to have been led by the PJD, Morocco’s biggest Islamist party which led the elected government from 2011 until 2021, a sign the movement is growing more vocal in opposition.

Protesters chanted “Palestine is not for sale”, “Resistance go ahead to victory and liberation” and “the people want an end to normalisation”, referring to the policy of Morocco and other Arab states normalising ties with Israel.

Israel vowed to annihilate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, after Hamas militants burst across the fence on Oct. 7 and went on a rampage through Israeli towns, gunning down families in their homes, killing 1,200 people and seizing 240 hostages.

Since then, Gaza’s health authorities say at least 17,700 people have been confirmed killed in Israeli strikes, with thousands more missing and presumed dead under the rubble.

Morocco agreed to strengthen ties with Israel in 2020, under a deal brokered by the U.S. administration under then President Donald Trump that also included Washington recognising Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Despite their policy of normalising ties with Israel, Moroccan authorities have said they continue to back the creation of a Palestinian state and have urged a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of all civilians there.

Islamist and leftist parties and groups in Morocco have increasingly spoken out against the normalisation policy since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7.

Protesters on Sunday also called for a boycott of brands they accuse of supporting Israel.

“We call on Morocco to end diplomatic relations with Israel, a country that killed children and women in Gaza and destroyed hospitals in full brutality,” said Ahmed El Yandouzi, as he was queuing to sign a petition with a Palestinian scarf around his neck.

Although Morocco and Israel have not yet completed the process of setting up full embassies in each other’s countries as they agreed to do, they have moved closer together, signing a defence cooperation pact.

The PJD was in office when Morocco agreed the normalisation deal with Israel, with its then leader Saad Dine El Otmani signing it as prime minister, but the policy was ultimately set by King Mohammed, who sets overall strategy.

The new PJD leader, Abdelilah Benkirane, has said signing the agreement was a mistake.

The royal court has previously asked the PJD to stop criticising Morocco’s ties with Israel.

IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters earlier this month that the IMF had reached a staff-level agreement with Morocco to provide a $1.3 billion loan to bolster the country’s resilience to climate-related disasters from the RST.

Kozack also said a key consideration in the decision to proceed with the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Marrakech from Oct. 9-15 was ensuring that the events did not disrupt vital relief and reconstruction efforts after a Sept. 8 earthquake struck in the High Atlas Mountains, killing more than 2,900 people.

She told reporters at a regular briefing that the meetings would be adapted to the circumstances, but gave no details, saying the schedule was still being finalized.

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Kozack said the meetings in Marrakech had been in preparation for five years, having been postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and came at a consequential time for the global economy and IMF members.

“I’m confident that these meetings will showcase the strength of Morocco, the Moroccan people and the Moroccan authorities,” she said. “This is the first time in 50 years that the annual meeting will be held on the African continent.”

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She said they would offer a good opportunity for global leaders to discuss the wide range of challenges they faced, many of which particularly affected low-income and vulnerable countries.

Georgieva will hold a “curtainraiser” speech in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Oct. 5 to set the stage for the meetings, Kozack said.