Connect with us

Metro

Moroccans protest against killing of two skiers by Algerian coastguards

Published

on

Hundreds of Moroccans on Monday staged a demonstration outside the parliament building in Rabat to protest the killing of two of their nationals who were shot dead by Algerian coastguards during a jet skiing holiday.

The protesters, who denounced what they called “the crime committed by the Algerian state” following the killing of the two holidaymakers, called on the Moroccan government “to take a very firm stance in the face of these crimes.”

The Moroccans, who were skiing in their country’s territorial waters, were shot dead by the Algerian coastguards on Friday after they were alleged to have strayed across the maritime border between the two countries.

The incident has sparked further diplomatic row between the two North African countries which have had frosty relations for several years.

A member of the Moroccan League for Citizenship and Human Rights, Hicham Mellioui, who was one of the leaders of the protesters, told journalists that the country’s government must do everything possible to get justice for the killed men.

“The government, whether through declarations, through possible actions before international bodies, should challenge them (Algeria), at least in the media, with official statements, with diplomatic acts,” Mellioui said.

Another leader of the rally, Thami Belmaalam said Moroccan and international associations would be filing applications at international level.

“A letter will be sent to the UN Secretary-General for the same reason”, he said.

Algerian authorities in a statement on Sunday, justified the shooting of the Moroccan citizens, saying its security forces had opened fire after the group of jet skiers ignored warning shots and refused to comply with orders to stop.

“During a security patrol inside our territorial waters, a coastguard unit intercepted three jet skis that clandestinely entered our territorial waters,” a defence ministry press release said.

The victims, who were part of a group of skiers on holiday, were identified as Bilal Kissi, a 29-year-old French-Moroccan tourist and his Moroccan cousin Abdelali Mechouar, 40, while a third tourist, Smail Snabe, was wounded and detained in Algeria, according to media reports in Morocco.

Kissi’s brother, Mohamed, who had also been in the group, told the media they got lost and ran out of fuel after leaving the Moroccan resort of Saidia, near the border with Algeria, before the shooting incident.

He said he managed to leave the area after the incident and was picked up by the Moroccan navy while his brother’s body was recovered on Saidia beach on the Moroccan side of the border.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Metro

Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

Published

on

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as the nation continues to face the menace of drought.

Hichilema, who made the plea while speaking during the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony of the Ila people in Namwala on Sunday, expressed hope for divine intervention and sufficient rains.

“We pray that this year, God will give us rains, sufficient rains, so we can grow more food, so we can take care of the things, the assets that we keep,” the President stated.

He noted that he was informed of certain chiefs known for their rainmaking abilities, including Senior Chief Mwamba of Northern Province, Chief Sailunga of North-Western Province and Mwami Monze from the Southern Province and urged them to use their powers to invoke rain, adding that the chiefs should continue their prayers for rain, believing that “God will hear our cry.”

The President also encouraged not only the chiefs but also the churches and the entire nation to join in prayers for rain.

“All of us, the churches, everybody, we must pray for rains so that we can take care of God’s people properly,” he said.

The head of state further urged farmers to intensify efforts at planting crops and maximizing their harvest for national food security once the rain comes.

The drought in Zambia in recent
seasons have left 84 districts severely impacted, leading to food shortages and a worsening electricity deficit due to low water levels.

Continue Reading

Metro

Tiinubu committed to easing hardship Nigerians are going through— Info Min, Idris

Published

on

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has, once again, reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to easing the economic hardship of Nigerians as a result of the removal of fuel subsidies and other policies of the government.

Idris, who gave the assurance during a live radio programme on the Hausa service of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) titled, “Hannu Da Yawa,” said fuel subsidies primarily benefited a select few wealthy Nigerians to the detriment of the ordinary Nigerian masses.

The minister, however, emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration was working towards economic stability, even as the president had urged ministers to cut expenses by limiting official vehicles and personnel on assignments.

“President Tinubu is pointing out the need to change from the old ways of doing things in Nigeria,” Idris said.

He noted that the cost-saving measures, though seemingly small, are expected to make a significant impact.

He also stated that the recent renaming of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reflects Tinubu’s commitment to addressing agricultural issues from multiple angles, particularly to improve food security.

On security, Idris said Tinubu’s administration has continued to acquire resources for security agencies and support personnel welfare, while consultations on establishing state police are ongoing.

Idris also urged Nigerians to responsibly use social media to portray the country positively, emphasizing collective responsibility in shaping Nigeria’s image.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Sports14 hours ago

Chepkirui leads Kenya to podium sweep at New York City Marathon

Kenya had a clean sweep of the podium at the 2024 New York City Marathon on Sunday as Sheila Chepkirui...

Tech14 hours ago

AfriLabs to host ‘Annual Gathering’ in Cape Town

Pan-African innovation hub, AfriLabs, has announced Cape Town, South Africa, as the host of its “Annual Gathering” scheduled to hold...

Metro14 hours ago

Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as...

VenturesNow18 hours ago

South Africa: Petrol, diesel prices to rise on Wednesday. Here’s why

Following an increase in the price of oil due to the crisis between Iran and Israel, petrol and diesel prices...

Metro21 hours ago

Tiinubu committed to easing hardship Nigerians are going through— Info Min, Idris

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has, once again, reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to...

Culture2 days ago

Ghanaians react angrily as American video vixen Rubi Rose tours Jubilee House

Some Ghanaians have been outraged following a tour of the Jubilee House, the country’s seat of government, by American entertainer...

Metro2 days ago

Zambia, Japan celebrate 60 years of bilateral relationship

Zambia and Japan, during the weekend, celebrated 60 years of bilateral relationship on the occasion of the African country’s 60th...

Tech2 days ago

Young African tech-preneurs invited to apply for 2025 Anzisha Prize

Young tech-preneurs in Africa have been extended an invitation to apply for the 2025 edition of the Anzisha Prize, which...

Sports2 days ago

Reports say Libyan authorities have begun mass arrest of Nigerians following CAF verdict

Reports making the rounds say Libyan authorities have embarked on a mass arrest of Nigerians living in that country following...

Metro2 days ago

Nigeria: Human Rights Commission records 3,099 cases of child marriages in three months

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it has recorded no fewer than 3,099 cases of child marriage in Nigeria...

Trending