Stellantis (www.Stellantis.com) now overseeing import and distribution for Peugeot, Citroën, and DS Automobile brands; The group reaffirms its commitment to boosting Morocco’s automotive industry; Enhanced and unified customer experience across Morocco in line with Stellantis’ high standards.

In a strategic move, Stellantis has announced a two-phase acquisition of Sopriam, a subsidiary of the Al Mada group. The initial phase involves immediate majority control, followed by the full acquisition of 100% of shares by early 2025. Stellantis will now directly handle the import and distribution of its Peugeot, Citroën, and DS Automobiles brands in Morocco, in addition to its existing brands (Fiat, Abarth, Jeep®, Alfa Romeo) through its established distribution network.

This capital injection marks a significant step in consolidating Stellantis’ presence in Morocco, a journey that began in 2015 under a strategic partnership with the Moroccan government.

Stellantis’ diverse footprint in Morocco is highlighted by its extensive commercial network, the establishment of the first Africa Technical Center (ATC) in Casablanca focusing on “Core Technologies” and future mobility solutions, and the consistent growth of its Kenitra plant, which aims to double its production capacity to 400,000 vehicles by 2027.

Samir Cherfan, Stellantis COO for the Middle East and Africa, stated: “This acquisition underlines Stellantis’ dedication to advancing the automotive industry in Morocco. Our Kenitra plant is already among Stellantis’ top industrial sites and significantly contributes to our regional goals of achieving an annual production capacity of one million vehicles by 2030, with local integration exceeding 90%.”

He continued: “”Regarding our business objectives, our ambition is to become the Market Leader with over 22% market share by 2030, aligning with our ‘Dare Forward 2030’ strategic goals. This substantial vertical integration of our import and distribution activities, especially in a key market like Morocco, represents significant progress toward this ambition.”

As part of this acquisition, Stellantis is committed to delivering a unified and enhanced customer experience across the Kingdom.

Yves Peyrot des Gachons, Managing Director of Stellantis Morocco, commented: “By optimizing our commercial capabilities and consolidating synergies across our various operations, we are committed to providing our customers with a consistent experience that meets Stellantis’ high-quality standards and adheres to our customer-centric approach.”

He added: “Our customers will have access to a broader range of vehicles and benefit from increasingly innovative mobility solutions. We are more dedicated than ever to providing cleaner, safer, and more accessible mobility options.”

He concluded: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Sopriam and its management teams for over 90 years of exceptional partnership. Together, we have navigated many milestones and overcome numerous challenges, always remaining true to our commitment to excellence and innovation. I thank Sopriam for its trust, continuous collaboration, and dedication, which have been pivotal to our shared success.”

Following the Executive Board held today, Samir Chefan was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board of Sopriam. Yves Peyrot de Gachons was named Managing Director of Sopriam.

Stellantis in Morocco:

Employment
5192 employees, including:

Kenitra plant: 3,852 workers
ATC (Casablanca) : 922 engineers

Commercial network
59 sales sites
Brands marketed : Fiat, Abarth, Jeep®, Alfa Roméo, Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel.
Used vehicles: Stellantis &You, Spoticar

Production capacity (Kenitra plant)
200,000 véhicules/year
Vehicles produced : Peugeot 208, Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks-e, Fiat Topolino

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Stellantis.

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About Stellantis: 
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the world’s leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. It’s best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.Stellantis.com

A report released by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today reveals a collapse in the protection of civilians in Sudan, where communities continue to face indiscriminate violence, killings, torture, and sexual violence while attacks on health workers and medical facilities persist. 

The report, A War on People: The Human Cost of Conflict and Violence in Sudan, describes how both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with allied groups, are inflicting horrendous violence on people across the country. The war has wrought a catastrophic toll since fighting began in April 2023, with hospitals attacked, markets bombed, and houses razed to the ground.

Estimates of the total number of people injured or killed in the war vary. MSF teams working across Sudan have treated thousands of patients for conflict-related injuries since the start of the war, most injured by explosions, gunshots, and stabbings.  In just one of the hospitals MSF supports—Al Nao Hospital in Omdurman, Khartoum state—6,776 patients were treated for injuries caused by violence between August 15, 2023 and April 30, 2024. That’s an average of 26 people per day.

A health care worker at the hospital described the aftermath of shelling in a residential area of the city: “About 20 people arrived and died straight after; some arrived already dead. Most of them came with hands or legs hanging, already severed. Some only had a small piece of skin keeping two limbs together. One patient came with an severed leg; their caregiver followed behind, carrying their missing limb in their hand.”

The human cost of war in Sudan 

More than a year of full-blown conflict has had disastrous consequences on the health and wellbeing of people in Sudan, leaving physical and mental wounds exacerbated by the collapse of the health system and the paucity of the international humanitarian response. 

Sexual violence

MSF’s report contains shocking accounts of sexual violence, which has become a defining feature of the war in Sudan and especially in Darfur. Data from MSF facilities supporting Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad suggest the widespread use of sexual violence as a form of warfare, particularly targeting women and girls. 

MSF surveyed 135 survivors treated by our teams between July and December 2023 in Chad, finding that 90 percent had been abused by an armed perpetrator, 50 percent were abused in their own homes, and 40 percent were raped by multiple attackers. These findings are consistent with testimonies of survivors still in Sudan.

“Two young girls from Sariba, our neighborhood, disappeared,” said an MSF patient, describing events in Gedaref in March 2024. “Later my brother was abducted and when he came back home, he said that the two girls were in the same house where he was detained and that the girls had been there for two months. He said that he heard bad things being done to them, the kind of bad things they do to girls.”   

Targeted ethnic violence 

The report contains testimonies detailing targeted ethnic violence against people in Darfur. In Nyala, South Darfur, people described how in the summer of 2023, RSF and allied militias went house to house looting, beating, and killing people, targeting people from the Masalit ethnic group and other non-Arab ethnicities. 

“The men were armed with guns and dressed in RSF camouflage,” a patient in Nyala told MSF. “I was stabbed many times and fell to the ground. As they exited my house, they looked at me laying on the ground; I was barely conscious. I could hear them say, ‘he will die, don’t waste your bullets’ as one of them pressed his foot on me.” 

Attacks on health care

Throughout the war, hospitals have been routinely looted and attacked. In June, the World Health Organization reported that in hard to reach areas, only 20 to 30 percent of health facilities remain functional, and those that remain are operating only at minimal levels.

MSF has documented at least 60 incidents of violence and attacks on our staff, assets, and infrastructure. Al Nao Hospital, for example, has been shelled on three separate occasions, further reducing the availability of lifesaving services. At Baker Nahar Pediatric Hospital in El Fasher, which MSF also supports, a blast caused by an airstrike in May killed two children when the roof of the ICU collapsed  The hospital was forced to close. 

In July 2023, a health care worker at the MSF-supported Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital was shot dead inside the maternity ward, leading to the closure of the facility. Nowhere is safe for people trapped in Sudan’s conflict hotspots. 

Bureaucratic obstructions 

Despite the dire state of the health system in Sudan and its struggles to meet people’s needs, humanitarian and medical organizations have often been blocked from providing support.  Although authorities have begun issuing visas for humanitarian staff more readily, attempts to provide essential medical care are still regularly impeded by bureaucratic blockages such as refusals to issue travel permits to allow the passage of people and essential supplies.  

“The violence of the warring parties is compounded by obstructions,” said Vickie Hawkins, MSF general director. “By blocking, interfering with, and choking services at a time when people need them most, stamps and signatures can be just as deadly as bullets and bombs in Sudan.” 

“We call on all warring parties to facilitate the scale up of humanitarian aid and, above all, to stop this senseless war on people by immediately ceasing attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and residential areas.”  

What MSF is calling for 

Warring parties must cease attacks on residential neighborhoods, allow safe passage for people seeking protection, and protect vital infrastructure from further destruction and looting; to stop all targeted forms of violence including sexual and ethnic violence; and to immediately facilitate aid and allow unhindered humanitarian access so assistance can reach people in need across borders and front lines. 

Vested partner states and regional bodies must increase pressure on the warring parties to abide by their obligations regarding civilian protection and hold those violating civilian protections to account.  

The United Nations must reiterate and amplify messages regarding the promotion and respect of international humanitarian and human rights laws, increase field presence of UN senior staff, and ensure that protection responses are scaled up and adequately coordinated. 

Humanitarian organizations must scale up programming and adapt their response the complexity of the operational context in Sudan across all sectors. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Over the past months, the South Sudan Red Cross has trained more than 70 dedicated individuals as community health workers in Wau State, nestled within the rugged landscapes of Western Bahr el Ghazal region. 

As part of the Resilient and Empowered African Community Health (REACH) initiative, these local heroes have become a lifeline for their communities, offering essential health services right at their doorsteps. Equipped not only with medical knowledge but also with empathy and dedication, they are bridging the gap in healthcare access that has long plagued the region. 

In villages where healthcare once seemed distant, these community health workers have become trusted figures. They administer vaccinations, provide maternal care, and educate families on hygiene practices that safeguard against disease. Beyond these vital services, they play a crucial role in identifying complex cases that require specialized attention, promptly referring them to nearby health centres for further treatment. 

One such hero is Adut, a young mother turned community health worker.  For years, Adut witnessed firsthand the struggles of her community — lack of access to basic healthcare services, preventable illnesses claiming lives, and the daunting challenge of reaching distant health centres.

“I joined the programme because I saw too many children suffering from preventable diseases,” she says with a warm smile. “Now, I can help them get the care they need.” 

Adut’s dedication goes beyond her daily responsibilities. She has become a source of knowledge in her village, empowering families with the information and tools they need to lead healthier lives. Her journey is not just about providing medical care but also about fostering resilience and strengthening community bonds, ensuring that healthcare becomes a sustainable part of everyday life in Wau State.

“As a mother myself, I understand the worries and challenges families face. Being able to ease those worries, even a little, is what keeps me going every day.”

The REACH initiative, supported by the South Sudan Red Cross, IFRC and Africa CDC aims to empower local communities by training and equipping community health workers like Adut. 

Through comprehensive training, ongoing support, and access to essential resources, the programme enables these individuals to deliver critical healthcare services directly to their neighbours, overcoming barriers of distance and infrastructure.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Tosyalı (www.TosyaliHolding.com), a global green steel producer, has started a new world-class steel investment in Benghazi / Libya following its investments in Turkey, Algeria, Senegal, Angola, and Spain.

Continuing its worldwide growth by expanding its investment geography to three continents, Tosyalı further expands its sphere of influence in the Mediterranean basin with Benghazi / Libya, which formerly entered with Algeria.

Making statements after the ceremony, The Chairman of Tosyalı Holding, Fuat Tosyalı, said, “We are excited to expand our investments in the Mediterranean coasts of Africa, a priority investment region we identified and committed to years ago with great foresight. By focusing on value-added steel based on local production, our regional investments create a positive economic, environmental, and social impact by fostering value, employment, development, and welfare in the countries we enter. We will be very pleased to bring our expertise and capabilities in value – added steel production to Benghazi / Libya with this new complex where we have completed the ground investigation and engineering works, and where construction and assembly will start in the upcoming days. I firmly believe we will pioneer transforming the Libyan steel industry into an ecosystem that meets world steel industry needs by producing high-standard, high-quality green steel products with low carbon emissions, utilizing advanced technology, innovation, and R&D in the integrated facility we will establish. I hope this agreement will benefit both companies and our friendly and brotherly country, Benghazi / Libya.”

Sharing his feelings and thoughts after the ceremony, Ahmed Gadalla, Chairman of Libya United Steel Company for Iron and Steel Industry (SULB), said, “We are delighted and proud to make a crucial step towards Benghazi / Libya’s industrialization and the development of the steel industry by partnering with Tosyalı, a global steel producer and leader in green steel across three continents. This agreement will help both groups to make a big move forward and strengthen economic ties between Benghazi / Libya and Turkey even more. This investment will position Benghazi / Libya as a key player in global steel production and significantly impact green steel and decarbonization. I hope this major global investment will benefit both companies and Benghazi / Libya, following the rapid progress made in our partnership.”

The world’s largest DRI facilities, with a total capacity of 8.1 million tons

With the agreement, the two companies established a brand new company titled Tosyalı-SULB in Benghazi / Libya. The project to be realized by Tosyalı SULB includes a series of significant investments that will significantly contribute to the development of Benghazi /Libya’s industry, particularly the development of the iron and steel sector and employment. As a part of the investment project, the world’s largest DRI plants, with a total capacity of 8.1 million tons, will be built. These plants will be equipped with MIDREX Flexi DRI technology, also utilized in Tosyalı Algérie. With this technology, the plant can operate using hydrogen, a clean energy source, making it one of the world’s leading bases for green steel production. Investments will commence immediately for the first phase of the integrated iron and steel complex, which will have a capacity of 2.7 million tons. The plant will supply the HBI (hot bricket iron) needs of the nearby region and Europe for green steel while further enhancing Tosyalı’s global green steel producer position. When this investment is completed, Tosyalı will become the largest supplier in the international marketplace in the supply of HBI (Hot Bricket Iron), the primary intermediate product needed most in the green transformation process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Tosyali Holding.

Contact:
Dogukan Unal
dunal@dha.com.tr
International Relations Director