Turning Around in Libya
During a briefing session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the United Nations Special Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), explained that minorities in the Tobruk House of Representatives (HoR) and the Tripoli General National Congress...
How to Reform Tunisia’s Security Sector
The renewal of the state of emergency in Tunisia last week coupled with yet another pay raise for security forces, following their protests last January, have refocussed discussion about the reform of the security sector as Tunisia navigates its way...
Libya: Ongoing Political Deadlock over the GNA
The Presidency Council, headed by Prime Minister-designate, Faiez al-Serraj, has failed to meet the deadline of 9 February 2016 – set by the House of Representatives (HoR) – to present a second proposed list for the Government of National Accord....
Deep Society and Deep State: The Limits of the Political Consensus in Tunisia
The wave of protests that swept across Tunisia’s north west, centre and southern towns and villages over the past ten days betrays the limits of the political elite consensus between Nidaa Tunis and Ennahda. In a scenario reminiscent of Bouazizi’s...
Libya: UNSMIL’s Process hits a Hard Rock in Tobruk
UNSMIL’s Political Agreement that was signed on 17 Dec. 2015, by representatives of the HoR and some MPs from eastern Libya who were not mandated by the GNC continues to face an uphill journey. Although the Political Agreement stipulates that...
Ennahdha and the Islamist-Secularist Debate in Tunisia
Ennahdha Movement is not immune to the Islamist-secular debate, having delayed holding its 10th congress until spring 2016. There are intense debates within Ennahdha, in light of its short-lived time in power. This year’s conference is coming to be considered...
Religion and Politics in Tunisia
Beyond public opinion surveys the issue of religion in the public sphere has impacted political participation tremendously, and has led to divisions and revisions within established political parties and movements in North Africa. Again, the Tunisian example demonstrates the shape...
Why does the Algerian regime fear Rachad?
In a recent piece on the detention of Algerian human rights lawyer and opposition figure Rachid Mesli, Robert Fisk asked why Interpol is doing the work of Arab despots. Mesli is the subject of an arrest warrant by the Algerian...