Morocco slams prominent francophone magazine for 'defamatory cover page'

The Moroccan government denounced today the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique for publishing anti-Morocco cover page of its latest edition.

Speaking at a press conference, the government’s spokesperson, Mustapha Al-Khalfi  said that the country had been exposed to “unjust campaign” by the francophone magazine, adding that it was trying to promote a “negative image” of the North African country.

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Khalfi described the magazine as “trying to flee responsibility instead of finding the at the real causes of terrorism emergence.”

He described the act as “unacceptable,” stressing that Morocco has been providing assistance to several neighbouring countries in the fight against terrorism.

“Morocco has not witnessed any terrorist attacks in recent years, compared to 300 bombings and terrorist attacks in North Africa and the African Sahara region,” he pointed out.

Earlier this week, Jeune Afrique released a controversial cover headlined “Terrorism Born in Morocco.” The cover featured a five-pointed star representing the kingdom’s flag and included images of the Moroccan-born suspects involved in planning and carrying out the 17 August Barcelona terrorist attacks.