AGP Executive Report

MINURSO: Washington is weighing whether to end or revise the UN mission’s mandate ahead of an October 31 Security Council vote, after US officials consulted regional experts. Defense Technology: Israel’s first national pavilion at the Marrakech Airshow showcased defense and autonomous systems, as Israeli firms explore local manufacturing and joint development with Morocco. Laayoune Clean Energy: ORNX is advancing early engineering for a proposed wind- and solar-powered green hydrogen and ammonia complex near Laayoune. The project has a preliminary land reservation but no final investment decision.

Defense Technology: Israel’s first national pavilion at the Marrakech Airshow put its growing defense ties with Morocco on display. Israeli firms are exploring local manufacturing and joint development, including in autonomous systems and space industries. Green Hydrogen: ORNX says it has secured a preliminary land reservation near Laayoune for a planned wind- and solar-powered hydrogen-to-ammonia complex. The project is in early engineering and has no final investment decision. Digital Surveillance: Amnesty International says surveillance technologies, including spyware, have been used alongside tracking and data collection against Sahrawi activists, journalists and human rights defenders, with information sometimes feeding smear campaigns and legal harassment.

Defense Technology: Israel’s first national pavilion at the Marrakech Airshow put Morocco-Israel security ties on public display. Israeli firms are exploring local manufacturing and joint development, as Morocco seeks to build up its own defense industry. Digital Surveillance: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance system uses spyware and other monitoring tools against activists, journalists and human rights defenders, including Sahrawis. The group says collected information can be used in smear campaigns and legal harassment. Clean Energy: ORNX is advancing early engineering for a proposed green hydrogen and ammonia complex near Laâyoune, combining wind and solar power. The project has a preliminary land-reservation agreement but no final investment decision.

Defense Technology: Morocco is moving from buying Israeli weapons toward local assembly and manufacturing, showcased at the Marrakech Air Show. How much technology and production will remain in Morocco is still unclear. Laayoune Energy: ORNX has secured a preliminary land reservation for a proposed green hydrogen-to-ammonia complex near Laayoune, with engineering work advancing. The project remains at an early stage, with no final investment decision. Digital Rights: Amnesty International says Moroccan authorities have used spyware and other surveillance tools against journalists, activists and Sahrawis, alleging the collected information has also fueled smear campaigns and prosecutions.

Green Hydrogen: ORNX is advancing early engineering for a proposed wind- and solar-powered hydrogen-to-ammonia complex near Laayoune, after securing a preliminary land reservation. The project has support from KBR and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, but has not reached a final investment decision. Digital Surveillance: Amnesty International says Moroccan authorities used spyware and other monitoring tools against Sahrawi activists, journalists and rights defenders, with surveillance allegedly followed by smear campaigns and legal harassment. The report calls for independent investigations and stronger safeguards on surveillance technology.

Green Hydrogen: ORNX is advancing early engineering for a proposed wind- and solar-powered hydrogen-to-ammonia complex near Laâyoune, with KBR and USTDA support. Authorities have reserved land, but the project has no final investment decision yet. Surveillance and Digital Rights: Amnesty International says Moroccan authorities used Pegasus and other surveillance tools against civil society, including Sahrawi activists, and alleges monitoring was linked to smear campaigns and legal harassment. Digital Services: Cash Plus and Damanesign are offering qualified e-signature certificates through 13 branches in 11 cities, including Laayoune, to support secure online business and public-sector procedures. Engineering Education: Ibn Zohr University has launched academic activities at a new advanced-technology engineering school in Dakhla, with practical training and applied research aimed at regional projects and jobs.

Green Hydrogen: ORNX is advancing early engineering for a proposed wind- and solar-powered hydrogen-to-ammonia complex near Laayoune, with support from KBR and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. The project has a preliminary land reservation but no final investment decision. Digital Surveillance: Amnesty says Moroccan authorities used spyware and other monitoring tools against civil society, including Sahrawi activists, and alleges surveillance has enabled smear campaigns and judicial harassment. Digital Services: Cash Plus and Damanesign are expanding access to qualified e-signatures through 13 agencies in 11 Moroccan cities, including Laayoune and Dakhla. Engineering Education: Ibn Zohr University has launched academic activities at Dakhla’s National School of Advanced Technologies, which aims to train engineers and grow applied research and innovation in the southern regions.

Engineering Education: Ibn Zohr University has launched academic programs at Dakhla’s National School of Advanced Technologies, with hands-on training, applied research and innovation aimed at preparing engineers for regional needs. Digital Rights: Amnesty International says Moroccan authorities’ surveillance system targets Sahrawi activists and protest organizers through spyware and other monitoring, with collected information allegedly used in smear campaigns and legal harassment. Digital Services: Cash Plus and Damanesign are expanding access to qualified e-signatures through 13 branches in 11 cities, including Laayoune, helping businesses and professionals complete online procedures.

Health Policy Fallout: Spain’s election advance is dissolving the Cortes and leaving major health reforms stuck again, including medicines price changes, the framework statute for health professionals, anti-tobacco steps, and rules on alcohol prevention for minors. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Algeria’s Tebboune framed the Western Sahara talks as direct negotiations between Polisario and Morocco, while invoking UN Security Council language that points to Morocco’s autonomy plan as the settlement basis. Surveillance & Rights in the Region: Amnesty says Morocco’s surveillance system goes beyond digital spying into smear campaigns, judicial harassment, arrests, and physical tracking—specifically targeting Sahrawi activists and civil society, with Pegasus and other tools described as part of a long-running machine. E-Signatures for Southern Cities: Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a network of agencies (including Laayoune and Dakhla) to onboard users for secure electronic signature certificates, supporting online customs and procurement workflows. Engineering Education in Dakhla: Ibn Zohr University officially kicked off the National School of Advanced Technologies of Dakhla, aiming to train advanced-tech engineers with stronger field training and applied research tied to local businesses.

Spain Election Advance: Pedro Sánchez announced an electoral advance for Nov. 29, with the Cortes dissolution set to hit the BOE on Oct. 6—leaving major health and medicines reforms among the laws likely to fall again. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Algeria’s Tebboune framed Western Sahara talks as between Polisario and Morocco, while Amnesty and other reporting keep pointing to UN Resolution 2797’s role and the autonomy plan as the core settlement path. Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty International released new reporting on Morocco’s long-running spyware and surveillance machine, linking tools like Pegasus to smear campaigns, judicial harassment, arrests, and a “chilling effect” on human rights defenders, including Sahrawi activists. Tech for Services in Laayoune: Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a push for easier access to qualified e-signature certificates, with Laayoune included in the first rollout. Education & Engineering in the South: Dakhla launched a National School of Advanced Technologies (ENTA) under Ibn Zohr University, aiming to expand advanced engineering training and applied research.

Surveillance & Rights in Western Sahara: Amnesty International released a report saying Morocco’s surveillance system goes beyond digital spying, using tools like Pegasus, location tracking, covert recording, and phone data access to target human rights defenders, journalists, activists—and specifically Sahrawi activists—then fuel smear campaigns and judicial harassment. E-Signatures for Morocco’s Online Services: Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a partnership to expand access to qualified electronic signature certificates, with onboarding through 13 agencies across 11 cities including Laayoune, aiming to speed up online administrative and business procedures. Engineering Education in the South: Ibn Zohr University officially launched the National School of Advanced Technologies of Dakhla (ENTA), focusing on practical training, applied research, and closer ties with businesses to build advanced-tech engineering capacity in southern provinces. Diplomacy vs. Normalization Protests: Pro-Palestine demonstrations spread across Moroccan cities after Morocco and Israel moved toward full embassies and ambassador exchanges, with reports of restrictions and arrests in some locations. Western Sahara Diplomacy Pressure: US UN envoy Mike Waltz told Polisario that “real choices” are available now, pointing to the UN process based on Morocco’s autonomy plan. Elections & Governance: Morocco’s Francophonie mission said the Sept. 23 legislative vote was free, reliable, and transparent, while Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first woman prime minister.

Film & Culture: Zurich Film Festival wrapped with Pierre Le Gall’s Flesh and Fuel winning the Feature Film Golden Eye, while Sahrawi-focused documentary My Home of Wind and Sand drew attention for its portrait of activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and renewed calls for Western Sahara self-determination. Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance system goes beyond digital spying, using spyware such as Pegasus alongside tracking and covert recording, with a “chilling effect” on human rights defenders, journalists, and activists, including Sahrawis in Western Sahara. Digital Services in the Region: Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a network of agencies (including Laayoune) to expand access to qualified e-signature certificates, supporting online public and business procedures. Tech Education in Dakhla: Ibn Zohr University officially launched the National School of Advanced Technologies of Dakhla (ENTA), aiming to train advanced-tech engineers with stronger field training and applied research. Diplomacy & Western Sahara: US envoy Waltz told Polisario that “real choices” are available now, with the Autonomy Plan repeatedly cited as the basis for a settlement.

Surveillance & Rights in Western Sahara: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance goes beyond digital spying into smear campaigns, judicial harassment, and arrests, with Sahrawi activists among key targets; it links the system to tools including Pegasus and calls for releases and a moratorium on selling surveillance tech. E-Signatures for the South: Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a partnership to expand access to qualified electronic signature certificates, with onboarding and secure USB keys available via a first network including Laayoune and Dakhla. New Engineering Push in Dakhla: Ibn Zohr University officially launched the National School of Advanced Technologies of Dakhla (ENTA), aiming to train advanced-tech engineers with practical, business-linked training and applied research for regional needs. Diplomacy, Israel Ties & Protests: Morocco and Israel move toward deeper ties with embassy upgrades and ambassador appointments, while pro-Palestine protests spread across Moroccan cities and report restrictions and detentions. Autonomy Plan on the UN Stage: Ecuador reaffirmed support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the “only serious” path toward a lasting settlement, urging talks in good faith. Politics at Home: Morocco’s Francophonie mission said the September 23 elections were free, reliable, and transparent, as the new government formation follows the appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as prime minister.

Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance system goes beyond digital spying into smear campaigns, judicial harassment, arrests, and physical tracking, with Sahrawi activists among the targets; it highlights Pegasus and other tools used by DGST and telecom partners, creating a “chilling effect” for families and networks. Elections & Governance: A policy analysis of Morocco’s post–Sept. 23 election programs finds heavy focus on social and economic promises (housing, healthcare, education) but little on political or constitutional reform, including electoral oversight and power-sharing. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Ecuador reaffirmed support at the UN for Morocco’s autonomy plan as the “only serious, credible and realistic” path, urging good-faith talks without preconditions. Tech for Services (Laayoune): Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a partnership to expand access to qualified e-signature certificates, with onboarding points including Laayoune and secure USB keys for online administrative and business procedures. Education & Engineering (Dakhla): Ibn Zohr University officially launched the National School of Advanced Technologies of Dakhla (ENTA), aiming to train advanced-tech engineers with stronger field training and applied research. Migration Policy Debate: A new policy paper argues Europe–Morocco migration deals stay fragile unless youth prospects, Morocco’s strategic interests, and Europe’s security needs align in one framework.

Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance machine goes beyond digital spying, using spyware (including Pegasus), location tracking, covert recording, and even physical monitoring to enable smear campaigns, judicial harassment, and arrests—targeting human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and specifically Sahrawi activists in Western Sahara. E-Signatures for Southern Cities: Cash Plus and Damanesign partnered to expand access to qualified e-signature certificates, adding 13 agencies across 11 cities, including Laayoune, with secure USB keys for online administrative and business procedures. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Ecuador reaffirmed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan at the UN, calling it the only “serious, credible and realistic” path toward a lasting settlement. Tech Education in Dakhla: Ibn Zohr University launched the National School of Advanced Technologies of Dakhla (ENTA), aiming to train engineers in advanced technologies with stronger applied research and industry-linked training. Morocco–Israel Upgrade: Morocco and Israel moved toward deeper ties by upgrading missions to full embassies and appointing ambassadors, despite pro-Palestine protests and calls of “No ambassador, no embassy.”

Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s DGST ran a long-running spyware operation against civil society, including Sahrawi activists, using tools like Pegasus and other digital surveillance methods from 2017–2021, with calls for releases and a moratorium on surveillance tech sales. Western Sahara Diplomacy: Ecuador told the UN it backs Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only “serious, credible and realistic” path, urging talks in good faith under UN-led political efforts. Tech & E-Government: Cash Plus and Damanesign launched a network of agencies (including Laayoune) to help businesses and institutions get qualified e-signature certificates, with secure USB keys for online procedures. Engineering Education in the South: Ibn Zohr University officially activated Dakhla’s National School of Advanced Technologies (ENTA), aiming to train advanced-tech engineers with stronger field training and applied research. Morocco–Israel Ties & Protests: Morocco and Israel move to deepen relations with embassy upgrades and ambassadors, while pro-Palestine protests spread across multiple cities, including reports of restrictions and arrests. Defense Industry: Israeli firms are set to showcase drones, air-defense and satellite-related tech at Morocco’s Marrakech Airshow, signaling deeper military cooperation.