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King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as Morocco's head of government on Tuesday, 29 September, making her the first woman to hold the position in the country's history. The appointment follows her party's victory in the parliamentary elections held on 23 September.
At the age of 50, El Mansouri is tasked with forming a new government after the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) secured 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives.
The appointment was announced by the Royal Palace in accordance with the Moroccan Constitution, which requires the King to appoint the head of government from the party that wins the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections.
Despite its electoral victory, PAM failed to secure an outright parliamentary majority, which requires 198 seats. The new head of government will therefore need to negotiate a coalition with other political parties.
El Mansouri's appointment marks a milestone in women's political participation in Morocco, as no woman had previously held the country's highest government position.
Born in Marrakech in 1976, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri studied law at the University of Montpellier in France and worked as a lawyer before entering politics.
In 2009, she became the first woman to serve as Mayor of Marrakech, a position she returned to following the 2021 local elections.
The new head of government has also held ministerial responsibilities in territorial planning, urban development, housing and urban policy. Since 2024, she has been part of the leadership of the Authenticity and Modernity Party.
El Mansouri takes office at a time when Morocco faces economic and social challenges, including youth unemployment and public demands for improvements in essential services.
The new government will also oversee investments and infrastructure projects associated with the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
El Mansouri must now complete negotiations to form the new government, whose composition will be submitted to King Mohammed VI for approval.
The Port of Beira, in Mozambique's Sofala Province, is set to strengthen its cereal import and handling operations as part of the government's new strategy to centralise rice imports and improve the efficiency of port procedures.
Mozambican musician Stewart Sukuma will represent Mozambique at the 8th edition of the Arts and Culture Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macau, where he has been announced as one of the event's main performers, according to the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau.
Maputo Municipal Council has announced plans to support the reconstruction of market stalls destroyed by a fire that broke out at Xikhelene Market on Friday, 25 September, destroying at least 15 commercial establishments and two warehouses.
Three researchers from the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM), in Maputo Province, have joined an international commission proposing a new approach to preparing for and responding to future pandemics, with particular emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable populations.
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The cities of Maputo and Matola are at risk of low to moderate flooding over the next 48 hours due to forecasts of moderate to heavy rainfall in southern Mozambique, according to an alert issued on Wednesday, 30 September, by the National Directorate of Water Resources Management (DNGRH).
Mozambique’s national football team, the Mambas, face Sudan this Tuesday at the Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo in the second round of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
FRELIMO Secretary-General Chakil Aboobacar has urged party officials, particularly leaders at all levels, to avoid individualism and personal grandstanding, calling instead for greater unity and collective work.
Traffic Police have seized more than 150 motorcycle taxis in the city of Beira, Sofala Province, as part of an enforcement operation aimed at tackling irregularities and reducing the high number of road accidents involving this type of transport.
