Inner Circle | Morocco
The key lieutenants of royal adviser Fouad Ali el-Himma

Morocco
Marrakech Comedy Festival launch no laughing matter for French star Jamel Debbouze

The Franco-Moroccan comedian could only look on in surprise as the new festival organised by his brother and former protégé was announced. The founder of the now defunct Marrakech du Rire event has been sidelined in the kingdom since 2022.

Morocco
Abdelwali Ali el-Himma, son of royal adviser, sets up string of surprising investments

From avocado farming to the distribution of lifts, the young financier has recently positioned himself in a variety of businesses through the British investment fund 54 Capital. Among his associates is a brother of the businessman Yariv Elbaz.

Palace Intrigues
Yoweri Museveni, Mohammed VI, J.M. Weston

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

UgandaAn embarrassing lawsuit in New York for unpaid rent

MoroccoRoyal adviser Fouad Ali el-Himma's daughter-in-law to be

DRCCongolese VIPs snap up J.M. Weston collector loafer

Egypt
Gulf crisis mobilises spy chief Hassan Rachad

The Egyptian spymaster has been endlessly on the phone since the start of the month, as military escalation in the Middle East continues, much to Cairo's dismay.

Morocco
Mohamed Chaouki wins RNI presidency but remains in shadow of Aziz Akhannouch

After 10 years at the helm of the Rassemblement National des Indépendants party, the head of government has decided to step down, making way for his protégé. However, the prime minister remains the party's central figure.

Morocco
King's nephew Moulay Idriss Filali seeks to clean up his finances

The son of the monarch's elder sister is taking stock of his conglomerate, which has built up investments across a wide range of sectors over more than a decade. Faced with worrying results, the group has recently shed several subsidiaries.

Morocco
Jewish community leader Serge Berdugo to step down as reform approaches

Since 2022, Morocco's small Jewish community has been awaiting the overhaul of its representative institutions, which have been led since 1987 by the influential former tourism minister.

Morocco
The new head of Africa Global Logistics Morocco and his intriguing Caribbean connections

Aziz Debbagh has put his usual discretion aside just in time for the African Cup of Nations. New chairman at logistics giant AGL, he has long defended the kingdom's interests among Caribbean countries.

Morocco
Negotiations on Western Sahara falter

Rabat is still seeking to finalise its new autonomy plan for the disputed territory. Washington is meanwhile keen to lead future negotiations, with or without the UN mission in Western Sahara.

Morocco
Royal palace "favourite geek" Zaki Narjisse's lucrative deals

While his company Netopia Solutions is developing the application that will enable Moroccans to purchase tickets for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in the country, the Moroccan businessman has seen his reputation tarnished by bad publicity.

Morocco
Fouad Ali El Himma key to patching up problems between Rabat and Abu Dhabi

The king's adviser Fouad Ali El Himma is taking an active role in improving economic relations with the UAE, at a time when promises of investment in the kingdom are slow to materialise.

Morocco
Mohammed VI chief adviser Fouad Ali el-Himma resurfaces

Fouad Ali el-Himma, who was noticeably absent from the many royal activities held in Morocco during the month of Ramadan, is due to return to the fray today.

Morocco
Royal adviser El Himma takes control of TV sector via 2M and Medi 1 TV nationalisation

Through his henchmen, Mohammed VI's political adviser Fouad Ali El Himma has taken charge of the takeover of the 2M and Medi 1 TV channels by public sector broadcasting group SNRT. And he has managed to put one of his supporters in charge of public relations at the interior ministry.

Ethiopia, Morocco
UK-based 54 Capital moves to save its pharmaceutical plant in Tigray

Founded by two Moroccan bankers, the investment fund 54 Capital is reeling from the halting of Ethiopia's largest pharamceutical plant forced by hostilities in the Tigray region.