Written by Jesse Moore The self-immolation of 26 year-old fruit vendor, Mohamed Bouazizi, in front of a government office set off the wave of pro-democracy protests called the Arab Spring that washed over North Africa and the Middle East. The protests initially showed promise by disrupting entrenched authoritarian regimes, eliciting high praise from Western leaders. Time, however, has shown... Continue Reading →
Morocco & Spain’s Reconciliation
Written by Jesse Moore February 11, 2023 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his Moroccan counterparty Aziz Akhannouch met on February 2nd in Rabat to further settle their nation’s disagreements. The two countries have longstanding disputes on Spanish enclaves in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, and migrants reaching Spain through Morocco. At the summit in... Continue Reading →
Algeria Enjoys a European Embrace
Written by Jesse Moore February 5, 2023 Energy-hungry Europeans are keeping an ineffective regime afloat. Despite recent rows with Spain and its dark colonial past with France, relations between Algeria and major European powers are on the mend. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune last month, highlighting Algeria’s importance for... Continue Reading →
Egypt’s Unfortunate Anniversary
by Jesse Moore The tenth anniversary of the coup that brought Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, to power is approaching. Unfortunately for Egyptians, it won’t be an occasion for celebration. In the most populous Arab country, 60 million people live below or slightly above the poverty line. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has inflated the price... Continue Reading →
Tunisian Opposition Party Members Arrested and Awaiting Trial
Written by William Lucht September 26, 2022 In the continued epic of Tunisia’s rise from the Arab Spring to its now shaking democracy, Tunisia’s anti-terrorism police have detained Ali Laarayedh, a former senior official to the opposition party Ennahdha. It has been reported that Laarayedh, a former prime minister, was interrogated for 14 hours and... Continue Reading →
Roots In Murder and Distrustful Partnerships for Democracy
Written by William Lucht October 3, 2022 Mohamad Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti by the Sudanese, has recently attempted to align himself with the pro-democratic movement which still seeks peaceful democratization in the wake of decades of tragedy. One may recall the rule of Omar Al-Bashir who took power in a military coup in 1989... Continue Reading →
Hamas & Fatah Meet in Algeria: Peace or Continued Rivalry?
Written by William Lucht October 17, 2022 Algeria is preparing to host 12 Palestinian groups at an upcoming two-day summit. Rivaling leaders of the Palestinian groups, Hamas, and Fatah are planned to attend. The proposal to invite both was drawn up after, “months of effort by Algeria to reach a common vision for boosting the... Continue Reading →
Blood of The Covenant is Thicker Than Water of The Womb
Written by William Lucht October 24, 2022 In Sudan’s Blue Nile State, ethnic clashes have hit a new death toll with 150 killed including elderly, women, and children. Clashes reportedly broke out last week over land disputes between the Hausa people and other rivals. Fighting has centered around the “Wad al-Mahi area near Roseires, 500km... Continue Reading →
Algeria Hosts Arab League Summit
Written by William Lucht November 7, 2022 The first Arab League summit to be held in two years since the Covid-19 pandemic is being hosted by Algeria. Algeria seems to be positioning itself back into international and regional politics since its eclipse in the wake of Bouteflika’s illness, the protest movement, COVID-19, and the financial... Continue Reading →
Tunisian Libyan Partnership
Written by William Lucht December 5, 2022 Last Wednesday Tunisian President Kais Saied welcomed Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah for an official two-day visit. President Saied met with not only the Libyan leader but also other high-level delegates such as the Prime Minister Najla Bouden, Central Bank of Libya Director Seddik Kebir and other... Continue Reading →
