King Mohammed of Morocco© GETTY

Britain is eyeing a major Brexit trade and security deal which could open up massive opportunities from the entire African continent in a move which has reportedly been celebrated by Boris Johnson. The former Prime Minister is understood to have told friends that the doubling of trade with Morocco since Brexit even before a new advanced trade deal is signed is an example of the benefits of leaving the EU.

In yet another Brexit boost for Britain next year, Morocco is looking for a trade and security deal with the UK pointing out that it has become "the gateway to Africa" in terms of goods and access.

The major African player is already connecting with Kemi Badenoch's Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The Kingdom of Morocco sees itself as a perfect African trade partner with Brexit Britain because it is one of the most stable countries in the region and, as a monarchy under the reign of its current King Mohammed VI, has parallels with the UK.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express, Morocco's ambassador to the UK Hakim Hajoui quipped that people complaining about the price of produce such as tomatoes coming from the EU post Brexit can get them better and cheaper from his country thanks to Britain being out of the EU. 

The country already supplies 45 percent of tomatoes to the UK market, and they are cheaper and more sustainable, not using artificial heating systems like the ones produced in the Netherlands.

"Buy you tomatoes from Morocco!" Ambassador Hajoui said but pointed out that there are many bigger opportunities to be had with his country.

He said: "We can offer much more than fresh tomatoes and raspberries. Take energy for example.

"Morocco has massively invested in green energy and has the potential to contribute to the energy security of its strategic partners."

There are also the 700,000 cars manufactured in Morocco each year in what is a growing industry.

He went on: "In terms of cooperation, the prospects [of a deal with the UK] are immensely promising, encompassing both business and security sectors."

Hajoui pointed out that culturally his country is moving more towards the UK and away from its previous colonial power France. 

He said: "All this in a context of a shift happening in Morocco in a very natural, organic way among the younger generations, who now speak English fluently, which is very important for business."

Indeed, the growing ties between the two countries was underlined when Morocco chose the UK not France as an international aid partner following the catastrophic earthquake which hit it earlier this year.

And the significance of a trade deal would go far beyond just his country.

"Morocco is the gateway to Africa for the UK. Looking at trade and business possibilities for the UK, there's a considerable chance not only in Morocco but also in tapping into Africa, which is poised to be tomorrow's largest consumer market.

"In that respect, Morocco is the second largest African investor in the continent, with two-thirds of our FDIs going to the continent." 

A deal with Morocco though also brings more than just trade, it boosts security.

As a major regional player in North Africa and the Middle East with the Israel/ Gaza war causing more uncertainty, Morocco is offering security support of food and energy supplies as well as defence and intelligence.

A deal though is likely to be contingent on the UK joining US, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain on helping Morocco with a major domestic issue over control of the disputed Western Sahara.

He area has been one of dispute since 1976 when the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic emerged.

Morocco's claim has been upheld in the international courts and a settlement has been proposed for limited self-governance, but the UK is yet to add its support for the North African ally.

The Ambassador noted: "Over the last few years we have had tremendous support from the US, from European countries, including Spain, Germany but also the Netherlands, Belgium, and others. This is in addition to the dozens of Arab and African countries which have opened consulates in the Sahara as a clear recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara. So how about the UK? That is the question everybody is asking." Daily Express

A Saturday morning accident along the Kampala-Gulu highway in Luwero town council claimed the life of Sgt John Bosco Ssenyimba, a police officer at Luwero Central police station (CPS).

Ssenyimba, who was riding a numberless Bajaj motorcycle was killed after a Toyota Hiace commuter taxi, reg no. UBJ 678J made a U-turn and crashed into Fuso Fighter Reg. No. UBJ 273Q near Dawson petrol station.

Both vehicles were destined for Kampala. Sam Twiineamazima, Savannah regional police spokesperson, says that they have since detained Frank Matovu, the truck driver. He says that the deceased’s body is lying at Luwero hospital mortuary pending a postmortem and the hunt for the unidentified driver of the commuter taxi is ongoing.

The accident follows another that killed one person on Wednesday night and injured eight others at Bujabe about 167km into Nakasongola district.

The accident happened after a commuter taxi rammed into a trailer. Both the taxi and the trailer were moving in the same direction from Nakasongola to Kampala city. By URN/The Observer

By PA Media

Labour is considering a scheme that would see asylum seekers’ claims processed elsewhere, according to reports. The Times reports that Sir Keir Starmer’s party is considering “detailed plans” for a so-called offshoring scheme, as he seeks to deter Tory attacks on Labour’s alternative to the Rwanda plan. 

The Labour leader has previously dismissed the bid to deport some asylum seekers to the African nation as a “gimmick” and made clear his party’s opposition.

But the newspaper reports that shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock have been speaking to asylum experts, former home secretary Lord David Blunkett and other European countries to draw up an alternative proposal to tackle small boats crossings in the Channel.

The plan would see migrants having asylum claims processed overseas, with successful applicants allowed to come to the UK. While explicit backing for an offshoring scheme would mark a significant shift for Labour, Sir Keir did signal earlier this month that he would not be opposed to considering such an approach.

“Other countries around the world do have schemes where they divert people on the way and process them elsewhere. That’s a different kind of scheme. In the early 2000s, Lord Blunkett and the Blair government were believed to be in talks with Tanzania about the possibility of housing asylum seekers in the country while claims were processed in the UK.

Lord Blunkett told the paper: “What’s absolutely crucial is who is doing the processing and that they’re allowed back into the country. Without it, you’re merely transferring the problem on to somebody else. But if British officials are doing the processing, then you’ve got a scheme that fits with the conventions.”

It comes as Sir Keir and his frontbench team enter a crucial period, with a general election likely to be less than 12 months away.

The Conservatives have sought to make tackling illegal migration a crunch issue, with stopping the boats one of Mr Sunak’s “five priorities”.  By Dominic McGrath, PA Political Staff, Microsoft Start/PA Media

In an age where wildlife conservation efforts have long relied on costly and unsustainable human interventions, a new approach is gaining
recognition.

The International Fund for Animals Welfare, (IFAW) has aptly recognised the urgent need to take action and is actively advocating for the “Room to Roam” initiative.

Room to Roam concept aims at facilitating interaction between animals and humans to avert human-wildlife conflicts. 

At the heart of this campaign lies climate change, and inadequate conservation funding which stakeholders say have a devastating impact on roaming animals, such as elephants, whose home ranges are increasingly cut off by the encroachment of new villages, farms, cities, highways, and industrial growth. 

According to the CEO and President of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Azzedine Downes, Room to Roam aims to provide wild animals with safe routes to freely traverse through counties and conservancies, while ensuring a safe distance from human
interference.

“The benefits of promoting “Room to Roam” extend beyond the animal kingdom, when habitats are effectively connected, communities also become more resilient.

The conservation efforts aimed at facilitating animal movement have a positive ripple effect, aiding in the preservation of ecosystems and the protection of natural resources that are vital for the sustainability of human communities,” he said. 

He added that thriving of wild animals depends on their ability to move freely and access healthy habitats that offer essential resources such as food, water, and ample natural space for stabilisation and success, however, the fragmentation of habitats due to human activities has resulted in a critical need to connect these habitats for the well-being of
wildlife. 

“Our approach leverages the power of climate-smart conservation, integrated landscape management, and ecosystem-based adaptation to deliver multiple benefits for nature, climate, and people,” he said. 

The IFAW actively engages in education and outreach programmes to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of wildlife among local populations. 

“We aim to secure and connect 12 critical landscapes each home to at least 10,000 elephants, by empowering individuals with knowledge about animal behaviour and the importance of conservation, IFAW aims to bridge the gap between humans and animals, forging a path towards coexistence,” he added.

According to the Africa director for IFAW, James Isiche, the “Room to Roam” initiative comes as a response to the growing concern over the fragmentation of wildlife habitats, which poses a significant threat to animal populations and their natural migration patterns. 

“By creating interconnected corridors, this project aims to mitigate the negative impact of human encroachment and ensure the long-term survival of various species granting animals the freedom to migrate,” he said.

Isiche emphasised that the success of the “Room to Roam” initiative hinges upon the interconnectivity between game parks, game reserves, and conservancies. 

“Establishing these vital links will enable wild animals to traverse vast landscapes, ensuring the sustainability of their populations and the preservation of their natural habitats.”

“If wildlife is confined in one area, they will eventually face a grim fate due to limited access to essential resources such as food and water, however, if there is sufficient space for movement and migration, animals can not only survive but also thrive,” he said.

Peter Matunge, the CEO of Laikipia Conservancy Association said that approximately 40 per cent of the county’s land is dedicated to conservation efforts, but the growing impact of climate change has led to an alarming rise in incidents of human-wildlife conflict.

According to him, the escalating conflict between humans and wildlife has posed significant challenges to both the local communities and the indigenous wildlife populations.

“Encounters between humans and animals are not only becoming more frequent but also more dangerous, this is primarily due to the changing landscapes and shifting migration patterns caused by climate change,” he said.

“The conservation efforts carried out in Laikipia County are crucial in preserving the region’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife populations, through initiatives like ‘Room to Roam, we can create a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, ultimately minimizing the impact of human-wildlife conflict,” he said. By Amos Kiarie, The Standard