Sison reiterates that the United States backs the Moroccan autonomy plan as a viable solution to the Sahara dispute

On Wednesday, Michele Sison, the US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, reiterated her support for the Moroccan autonomy plan as a serious, believable, and actual solution to the Sahara dispute.

Following her meeting with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad in Rabat, Sison stated at a press briefing, "The United States continues to consider the autonomy plan presented by Morocco as serious, credible, and realistic."

As a reminder, Washington declared in December 2020 that the autonomy proposal in the Sahara is "serious, credible, and realistic," describing it as "the only basis for a just and lasting solution" to the Moroccan Sahara dispute.

In the meantime, the US presidential proclamation recognizing Morocco's complete sovereignty over its Sahara was distributed to the 193 UN member states as an official Security Council document in the six UN languages.

She stated that the meeting also focused on the ongoing support that the United States provides to Staffan de Mistura in his capacity as the personal envoy for the Sahara of the United Nations Secretary General.

In addition, Michele Sison was pleased with the positive and fruitful discussions she had with Minister Nasser Bourita regarding the United States' and Morocco's dedication to preserving peace and security.

Ms. Sison stated that the United States "greatly appreciates His Majesty King Mohammed VI's role in supporting peace and security in the Middle East and North Africa, and around the world" in this context.

As a result, the American diplomat emphasized how grateful the Biden administration is for the Kingdom's support of UN peacekeeping efforts around the world.

In addition, Morocco is home to 21 UN agencies, which demonstrates the Kingdom's vital role as a regional leader and its dedication to multilateral diplomacy.

In light of the King's leadership in promoting peace and security in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the crucial role the Kingdom plays in UN peacekeeping missions around the world, the official from the United States reiterated that the American position is part of a long-standing partnership that has always been strengthened in various areas.

Since the declaration of the United States of America's independence in 1776, the two nations have maintained relations.

In contrast to the fluctuating nature of the relationship with France, which has difficulty shedding the tutelary characteristics of a bygone colonial era, this position is marked by sincerity and mutual respect.

In contrast to those who use history to maintain hegemony and a geostrategic rent that no longer has a place, the age-old relationship between the United States and Morocco goes far beyond invoking the past. Instead, it uses the historical construct to open up new perspectives that are mutually beneficial.

This has resulted in the strengthening and diversification of partnerships with traditional allies, particularly the United States, replacing the European and particularly French backlash.

France is dissatisfied with its downgrading of the Moroccan-American partnership as a result of the Abraham agreements.

As a result, the United States' recognition of Morocco's leadership as a global center of peace and stability strengthens American friendship with the Kingdom.

The Biden Administration's introduction of Amy Pope, the International Organization for Migration's Director General, is an acknowledgement of the King's central role as the African Union's leader on migration issues, as envisioned by his African peers.

It also acknowledges the humanist approach at the heart of the Sovereign's national immigration and asylum strategy.

We are reminded that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Michele Sison have always been on the same side of history, whether it be during the Second World War, the Cold War, the fight against the scourge of terrorism, or the promotion of peace and security in the Middle East.

 Michele Sison's visit to the Kingdom is part of an age-old friendship that has never wavered.

An ex-student receives eight years in prison for spying for the Chinese government

Source: MyJoyOnline

On Wednesday, a former graduate student from Chicago was given an eight-year prison sentence for spying for the Chinese government by obtaining information on US scientists and engineers with expertise in satellite and aerospace technology. 

In September, Ji Chaoqun, 31, was found guilty by a federal jury in Chicago of conspiring to act as an agent for China's Department of State Security without informing the US Attorney General, acting as a spy in the United States, and lying on a government form about his contacts with foreign agencies.

 Before Ji arrived in the United States in 2013 to study engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, prosecutors claim that he was attacked by MSS agents. 

Prosecutors claimed that Ji's MSS caregivers "ate and drunk" upon their return to China for the winter break.

Prosecutors claim that he eventually signed a top-secret contract in which he pledged allegiance to the agency's mission and agreed to "dedicate the rest of my life to the security of the state.

" Prosecutors claimed that Ji eventually compiled background reports on eight US citizens, all of whom were born in Taiwan or China and had careers in the science and technology sector, some of which specialized in aerospace. 

Seven were employed by U.S. defense contractors.

At Ji's trial, Assistant District Attorney Barry Jonas stated that he sent the reports to his superiors in a zipped attachment that was incorrectly labeled as "partial exam" question sets. In 2016, Ji's senior year of high school., enrolled in a program to find foreigners with skills that are important to the nation's interest and joined the U.S. Army Reserve.

 Ji was found guilty by the jury for lying on a background check form that asked him if he had ever interacted with foreign intelligence agencies.

Four Ghanaians Reach MTF

Four Ghanaians are among the 60 new students in the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Class of 2023, an educational program for emerging television and film talent in Africa that is fully funded for 12 months. 

Deborah Okyerewaa Aduamah, Elvis Asiedu Damptey, Boakye Dacosta (Boakye D.Alpha), and Ruth Abbu-Frimpong round out the group.

 MultiChoice Talent Factory is focused on ensuring that these gems are nurtured and developed so that they can contribute significantly to the creative industries in Africa.

Through a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in filmmaking, editing, audio production, and storytelling, MTF Academy students receive skills that enable them to develop their talent, connect with industry experts, and tell authentic African stories.

The Academy received thousands of applications from 13 African nations. After a rigorous selection process, 60 aspirant filmmakers were chosen to participate in MTF's 12-month training program, which combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training in filmmaking. from the writing of the script to the post-production of the video, editing, and audio. 

The final candidates who were selected were 50 percent male and 50 male from the southern region, 40 percent male and 60 male from the western region, and a total of 55 percent male and 45 males will represent the East region after a lengthy interview and selection process by regional academy directors and industry representatives. 

With internships sponsored by MTF partner organizations like New York Film Academy (NYFA) and Zee World, among others, top graduates from each of the three academies have the incredible opportunity to further develop their skills.