Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity Pays Tribute to Oualid El Jebari for Act of Bravery During Algeciras Accident

Tangier – The Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity paid tribute, on Tuesday at the port of Tanger Med, to Oualid El Jebari, a sailor with the maritime company Africa Morocco Link (AML), for his act of bravery during the accident that occurred on the night of September 1 at the port of Algeciras, as part of Operation Marhaba 2026.

Organized by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, the ceremony was marked by the presentation to Oualid El Jebari of a certificate of bravery and an encouragement award in recognition of his courageous act. Through this tribute, the Foundation also sought to highlight a level of commitment that fully aligns with the mission of Operation Marhaba: to be as close as possible to Moroccan expatriates, offering them assistance and support, and responding with promptness and humanity to the distressing situations they may face.

The accident occurred when a vehicle carrying a family of Moroccans residing abroad fell into the waters of the port of Algeciras. The tragedy claimed two lives, while two individuals were rescued, largely thanks to the intervention of Oualid El Jebari.

Speaking on this occasion, Abdellah Omar Moussa, Project Manager at the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, emphasized that this act particularly caught the Foundation’s attention because it illustrates a spontaneous human behavior, guided by a conscience and a keen sense of responsibility, without any expectation of recognition or prior preparation.

He highlighted that this gesture embodies the values of solidarity, cooperation, mutual aid, and cohesion that the Foundation works to promote within Moroccan society, considering that such behaviors form an essential foundation for living together and for solidarity among members of the Moroccan community.

The official also noted that this tribute aims to showcase these values to young people and future generations, considering the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid to be one of the authentic expressions of Moroccan identity.

For his part, Oualid El Jebari expressed his gratitude to the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity for this initiative, stating that his intervention stemmed above all from the values and instincts that characterize Moroccans. He also explained that his training and experience as a sailor required him to prioritize saving lives in accordance with maritime safety principles.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Algeciras, Abdellah Bidoud, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Expatriates, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Directorate of Merchant Shipping, and port and security authorities.

The Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Algeciras, Abdellah Bidoud, praised the tribute as a way to highlight the true image of Moroccans wherever they are. He emphasized that Oualid El Jebari’s intervention embodied the values of dignity, courage, and humanity of Moroccan citizens.

He also recalled that the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity had monitored the accident from its very first moments, with its teams present alongside the affected family and the injured individuals, assisting them through various procedures, particularly those related to the repatriation of the victims’ remains.

Beyond individual recognition, this tribute reflects the Foundation’s attention to actions that concretely embody the values of solidarity and mutual help at the heart of Operation Marhaba. It also serves as a reminder that in situations of vulnerability, presence, availability, and the capacity to act can make all the difference.