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...

/ February 21, 2016

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....

/ February 9, 2016

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...

/ January 25, 2016

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...

/ January 25, 2016

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...

/ January 11, 2016

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...

/ January 10, 2016

Leon’s Libyan Dialogue Encounters Hurdles along the Road to Geneva

UNSMIL announced over the weekend that a new round of Libyan political dialogue would take place in Geneva on Wednesday 14 January, this week. Despite the shuttle diplomacy effort, that Bernardino Leon seems to have carried out to consult with...

/ December 10, 2015

Libya: Algiers renews its Engagement in the Libyan Dialogue Process

The first two weeks of Martin Kobler’s leadership of UNSMIL have been a period of intense diplomatic activity. Kobler has already indicated that he will start his mediation efforts where his predecessor left off, but made it clear that “Leon...

/ November 30, 2015