SAM METZ

Leader of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda party House Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, center, flashes a victory sign as he arrives for questioning at the judicial police headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, April 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File)

A new report says Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests

A new Human Rights Watch report says Tunisia has dramatically expanded the use of politically motivated arrests and prosecutions to intimidate and silence critics.

American painter Kehinde Wiley stands in front of a portrait of Alpha Condé, former president of Guinea, during the opening of his exhibition A Maze of Power in Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in Rabat, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Artist Kehinde Wiley puts power in a new frame with paintings of African leaders

American artist Kehinde Wiley has unveiled an exhibition in Morocco of portraits of African leaders as part of a yearslong series exploring politics and image-making. The exhibition opened on Tuesday, entitled “A Maze of Power.”

Hackers breach Morocco’s social security database in an unprecedented cyberattack

Morocco’s social security agency says troves of data were stolen from its systems during a cyberattack this week that resulted in personal information being leaked on the Telegram messaging app.

From left, Niger Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore attend a joint news conference following a meeting of Russian foreign Minister with foreign Ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov, Pool)

Drone downing sparks diplomatic fallout between Algeria and Sahel countries

Relations between Algeria and the military alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have plunged to historic lows as the two sides curtail diplomatic ties in a spat over a downed drone last week.

Tens of thousands take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

Moroccans protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza and take aim at Trump

Moroccans have protested Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development.

A player of RS Berkane, wearing a team jersey showing a red map with the green star of Morocco on the disputed Western Sahara territory, walks on the pitch during the CAF Super Cup 2022 soccer match, in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

Sports highest court says Moroccan soccer shirt depicting map of disputed area was breach of rules

Soccer shirts depicting the disputed Western Sahara as part of Morocco violated rules against political messaging, a court governing soccer disputes has ruled.

Larbi El Ghazouani, a 55-year-old farmer, tends to sheep he has bred in anticipation of Eid Al-Adha, an annual celebration in which Muslims sacrifice and feast on livestock in Ouled Slama, Morocco on February 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sam Metz)

Morocco urges people to not buy sheep for Eid al-Adha celebrations

With Morocco’s sheep herds dwindling at an alarming rate, King Mohammed VI made a rare break with tradition by urging families to forgo buying sheep to sacrifice during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha.

Boys sit in a classroom at Nouadhibou's Organization for the Support of Migrants and refugees, Mauritania, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Khaled Moulay)

A school helps migrants in Mauritania. Is it enough to keep them from leaving for Europe?

A school for migrant children in Mauritania is an example of what’s to come after the European Union pledged more than $200 million last year to help persuade people there against coming to the continent.

An agent from the Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) stands behind items the agency says they seized during raids on suspected terrorist cells, during a news conference at the BCIJ in Sale, Morocco, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sam Metz)

Morocco says it dismantled Islamic State cell that was planning attacks

Moroccan authorities have arrested a dozen people they said were planning attacks on behalf of the Islamic State in the Sahel.

An abandoned house sits in sand near Chinguetti, Mauritania on Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Khaled Moulay)

An encroaching desert threatens to swallow Mauritania’s homes and history

An ancient trading post known for housing some of West Africa’s most historically significant manuscripts could soon be covered by the Sahara Desert. In Mauritania, residents of Chinguetti are on the front lines of fighting desertification.

People walk past an independence square in Bukavu, eastern Congo, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Janvier Barhahiga)

Rwanda-backed rebels advance and Congolese forces retreat from eastern Congo’s second largest city

Panic and looting are sweeping through eastern Congo’s second largest city as residents flee by the thousands to escape the looming advance of Rwanda-backed rebels. It came a day after M23 fighters entered the outskirts of Bukavu.

A Palestinian family cooks on fire next to their tent, in an area largely destroyed by the Israeli army's air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Netanyahu threatens to resume fighting in Gaza if hostages aren’t released Saturday

The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is supposed to last six weeks. But three weeks in, both Israel and Hamas are accusing the other of violating the deal, and Hamas’ threat to delay freeing more hostages has prompted Israel to prepare to resume fighting if needed.

FILE -Leader of the Ennahdha party Rached Ghannouchi arrives at a police station in Tunis, Feb.21, 2023. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi), File)

Tunisia jails opposition politicians and journalist as crackdown on political dissent resumes

Political opponents of Tunisia’s populist president are facing lengthy prison sentences after a court found them guilty of undermining state security.

Women dance as Cheikha folk singer Mbarka ''Thouria'' Moullablad gives a traditional performance known as Aita, in Sidi Yahya Zaer, south of the capital Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

From urban bars to country weddings, Moroccan folk singers break barriers and keep traditions alive

Women folk singers are preserving one of Morocco’s most cherished culturual traditions, a genre of folk singing known as aita.

Government soldiers and police officers who surrendered to M23 rebels, center, run to board trucks to an undisclosed location in Goma, Democratic republic of the Congo, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

Rwanda’s evolving stature ensures muted global pressure as M23 advances in eastern Congo

In 2012, when M23 rebels appeared poised to seize control of a major city in eastern Congo, western countries suspended aid to put pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its support.

Chahida Boufaied, owner of Dar Chahida Lel Oula, prepares the Harissa in her house in Nabeul, Tunisia, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Chili paste heats up dishes and warms hearts at northeastern Tunisia’s harissa festival

For years, Tunisians have been picking bright red peppers, combining them with garlic, vinegar and spices and turning them into a saucy spread called harissa.

Employees work in Moldiag, a biotechnology startup, while producing mpox tests, in Tamesna, Morocco, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Morocco produces Africa’s first mpox tests as the continent tries to rely less on imports

After African countries struggled to get testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials vowed to make the continent less dependent on imported medical supplies.

Visitors queue to attend a screening during the Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Marrakech festival spotlights tensions animating Morocco’s movie industry

Each year, celebrities descend on Morocco to attend the Marrakech International Film Festival, enjoy warm weather, luxurious resorts and laud the power of cinema.

This image released by MAD Distribution shows a scene from "Sudan, Remember Us." (MAD Distribution via AP)

Sudan documentary implores world to remember how a hopeful revolution became a forgotten war

A new documentary chronicles Sudan’s 2019 revolution and the period of time immediately after the ouster of military dictator Omar Al-Bashir.

FILE - Sean Penn arrives at the Booksellers area of the White House for the State Dinner, May 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Sean Penn accuses Academy Awards of cowardice at Marrakech Film Festival

Sean Penn has blasted the organizers of the Oscars of being cowards who, in effect, limit the kind of films that can be funded and made.

FILE -A view of the venue of the 2023 Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

Marrakech Film Festival opens in Morocco with ‘The Order’

One of the Middle East and North Africa’s largest film festivals is openiong in Morocco, drawing actors and directors from throughout the world to present 70 features from 32 countries.

Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Israel launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to a ceasefire with Hezbollah

Israeli airstrikes are hitting Lebanon with airstrikes as negotiations progress toward a ceasefire between the country and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants.

This undated photo provided by the IREMAM shows Victor Dupont, a French student detained for weeks in Tunisia and who returned to Paris on Friday Nov. 15, 2024 after weeks of top-level diplomatic discussions. (IREMAM via AP)

A French student who was arrested and detained in Tunisia returns to Paris

A French student detained for weeks in Tunisia has returned to Paris after weeks of top-level diplomatic discussions. The 27-year-old Victor Dupont who is Ph.D. student arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Friday afternoon.

Moroccan journalist sentenced to 1.5 years after remarks about politician

A Moroccan journalist who accused a prominent politician of fraud was sentenced prison for defamation on Monday in a case that has sparked international criticism from press freedom advocates.

FILE - A member of security forces stands guard while Muslim worshippers queue to enter a mosque for Friday prayers in Rabat, Morocco, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

Morocco limits preaching about war in the Middle East that invokes jihad

In Morocco, politicians and activists are questioning limitations imposed on preachers regarding what they may say about war in the Middle East during sermons.

French president Emmanuel Macron waves to Moroccans after delivering a speech in the Parliament, in the capital Rabat, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Moroccan authorities detain a human rights activist who accused government of ‘blackmailing’ France

A Moroccan economist known for his work defending human rights has been detained after criticizing the government in remarks posted on social media during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the North African kingdom.

French president Emmanuel Macron meets with Moroccans after delivering a speech in the Parliament, in the capital Rabat, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

France announces new investments in disputed Western Sahara

A French delegation visiting Morocco with President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled investment plans in the disputed Western Sahara as part of a broader suite of agreements and partnerships between the two countries.

Morocco's king Mohammed VI, right, and French president Emmanuel Macron wave to crowds during the latter's official visit to Morocco, in the capital Rabat, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

France and Morocco announce high speed rail investments as Macron visits Rabat

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco, kicking off a state visit with a series of bilateral agreements, including major investments in renewable energy and transportation.

Tunisian commentator sentenced to two years under controversial anti-fake news law

A well-known Tunisian attorney and commentator is facing two years in prison for remarks she made about Tunisia and its treatment of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

Morocco’s King lauds new allies in Western Sahara dispute after European court ruling

The disputed Western Sahara remains the driving force behind Morocco’s foreign policy, King Mohammed VI said in a rare speech on Friday.