CrisisWatch is our global conflict tracker, an early warning tool designed to help prevent deadly violence. It keeps decision-makers up-to-date with developments in over 70 conflicts and crises every month, identifying trends and alerting them to risks of escalation and opportunities to advance peace. In addition, CrisisWatch monitors over 50 situations (“standby monitoring”) to offer timely information if developments indicate a drift toward violence or instability. Entries dating back to 2003 provide easily searchable conflict histories.
Only 52 countries in UN General Assembly decolonisation committee voted in favour of Baker Peace Plan for Western Sahara 19 October, which Morocco opposes; 89 abstained; claimed by Morocco as diplomatic victory.
French interior minister Dominique de Villepin visited Morocco 13-14 September; discussed greater security cooperation. Morocco recalled its ambassador to Pretoria after South Africa recognised Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) 15 September.
U.S. President Bush signed Free Trade Agreement with Morocco 19 August. Moroccan intelligence report said 2,000 Moroccan “terrorist elements” under surveillance.
Morocco told Spanish authorities it had lost track of 400 al Qaeda-trained militants. Government moved to halt rise of radical Islam through construction of 20 state-sponsored mosques; agreed 22 July to set up joint security task-force with Algeria.
U.S. signed free-trade deal with Morocco 15 June, bolstering kingdom’s status as major U.S. ally. Human rights groups questioned Morocco’s record in Western Sahara.
Police arrested 3 terror suspects after Casablanca shoot-out, adding to 2,000 arrested on terrorist charges since 2003 Casablanca bombings. King Mohammed VI marked their anniversary 16 May by forming Ulema religious council to “shield” Moroccan Islam from extremism. Further Spanish arrests 10 May took number of Moroccans arrested in connection with Madrid bombings to 15.
New Spanish PM Zapatero visited Morocco, pledging increased cooperation against terrorism. 14 Moroccan terror suspects remain in Spanish custody.
Police in Tangier searched home of Jamal Zougam, prime suspect in 11 March Madrid bombings. Zougam currently in Spanish custody.
King Mohammed greeted enthusiastically on visit to area struck by 24 February earthquake. Authorities’ slow response to disaster had angered public. (See also Western Sahara section below.)
Signs of modest improvement in bleak human rights situation. King pardoned 33 political prisoners 7 January, weeks after announcement that Justice and Reconciliation Commission will be created to investigate past abuses.
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