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  • Progress and missed opportunities: Morocco enters its third decade under King Mohammed VI

    In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI will celebrate 21 years on the throne in July 2020. Over the last two decades, the king has spearheaded positive civil and political reforms, as well as formidable foreign policy and infrastructural changes. Most recently, the regime took swift and effective measures to control the initial spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Yet, deeply rooted socioeconomic and political challenges have fueled growing popular disillusionment with the regime and triggered numerous strikes and protests in recent years.

    Read more from the source : Brookings

  • Algeria’s opportunity for freedom

    Algeria stands on the brink of political change. For the first time in 20 years, Algeria has a new government. They’ve promised constitutional reform, an end to corruption, and protection of human rights. But underscoring each of…

    Read more from the source : Religious Freedom Institute

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags : Algeria, freedom, democracy, Hirak, protests,

  • In Morocco, Benevolent Authoritarianism Isn’t Sustainable

    The Moroccan monarchy’s strategy for managing the pandemic reflects its ideal model of governance—an efficient state that delivers to its citizens and does not tolerate dissent. Long failing on efficiency, the state has struggled to consistently provide services and economic growth. Now, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic also risk diminishing the monarchy’s capacity to subdue the population and limit political dissent. The post-pandemic period, while fraught with hardship, is a chance for the monarchy and ruling elite to shift course toward a more sustainable and inclusive model. Whether they will seize this opportunity is unclear.

    Read more from the source : Carnegie Endowment

     

     

     

     

    Tags : Morocco, monarchy, pandemic, governance,

  • The “Black Spring” taking Tunisia

    Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests have been erupting across the globe for almost two months, releasing with them the frustrations of millions of Black people, fighting in what seems like a never-ending battle for…

    Read more from the source : Minority Rights Group International

     

     

     

     

    Tags : Tunisia, minority rights,

  • The Mechichi government: Will it resolve the Tunisian crisis or deepen it?

    On 25 July 2020, Tunisian President Kais Saied tapped Hichem Mechichi to form a new government, following the resignation of Prime Minister Elyas Fakhfakh, whose government lasted a brief, though stormy, five months marred by allegations of …

    Read more from the source : Aljazeera

     

     

     

    Tags : Tunisia, Mechichi, Kaïes Saïed,

  • Assessing and addressing the gender impact of COVID-19 in Morocco

    The COVID-19 pandemic poses immense challenges across the world, impacting on societies, economies and political systems. In the Arab States, as in other parts of the world, women and girls are disproportionately affected, as they are more exposed to health risks and loss…

    Read more from the source : UN Volunteers

     

     

     

    Tags : Morocco, coronavirus, gender impact,

  • UN says ‘huge risk’ of regional war in conflict-riven Libya

    A top UN official has warned of the huge risk of a miscalculation triggering direct confrontation between rival foreign powers in Libya as weapons and mercenaries continue to pour into the north African state. Stephanie Williams, acting UN envoy to Libya, told the Financial Times that…

    Read more from the source : Financial Times

     

     

     

    Tags : Libya, UN, mercenaries,

  • The Turkey-UAE race to the bottom in Libya: a prelude to escalation

    In March, the health authorities in western Libya announced the first official case of Covid-19 in the country. While the world was enforcing a lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, war-torn Libya renewed with heavy fighting in the capital. Despite the UNSMIL’s call for a lull in the fighting…

    Read more from the source : Fondation pour la recherche stratégique

     

     

     

     

    Tags : Libya, Turkey, UAE, covid 19, coronavirus,

  • Morocco shuts down major cities after spike in Covid-19 cases

    Morocco will stop people entering and leaving some of its biggest cities from midnight to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases, the interior and health Ministries said on Sunday. The cities to be locked down include the economic powerhouse of Casablanca as well as Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Meknes. The country eased a nationwide lockdown a month ago, though international flights are still suspended except special flights by national airlines carrying Moroccans or foreign residents.

    Read more from the source : France24

     

     

     

     

    Tags : Morocco, coronavirus, covid 19,

  • Pull-backs by the libyan coast guard: complaint filed with UN Human Rights Committee

    Complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee over the role of Italy, Malta, and Libya in violating the right to leave Libya, resulting in denial of the rights of asylum seekers (pdf format available here). The Association for Juridical Studies on Migration (ASGI) and the Cairo Institute for Human…

    Read more from the source : Statewatch

     

     

     

     

    Tags : Libya, human rights,