Arezki Daoud
Chaos in Northern Nigeria
The North Africa Journal | At least 120 people were killed in the troubled northern Nigerian city of Kano on Friday, the country’s second largest city. A series of bomb blasts were reportedly coordinated by the Islamist organization known as Boko Haram.
[North Africa] Algeria to Nationalize Orascom Algeria’s Mobile Phone Unit
The North Africa Journal | The Algerian government is slated to take over a majority stake in the mobile phone operator Djezzy. Previously owned by the Egyptian Orascom, then sold to Russia’s Vimpelcom, the company is likely to be 51% under the control of the State of Algeria after a long battle pitting Orascom CEO Naguib Sawiris against Algeria. The news of the takeover was announced by the Algerian postal and technology minister on Saturday, January 8, 2012....[North Africa] With an Islamist Electoral Victory, Morocco Forced to Adopt Political Cohabitation
The North Africa Journal | With less than half the eligible voters going into the voting booths on Friday, the Moroccans woke up on Saturday with the news that the Islamists of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) were bracing to form a coaltion government. ...[North Africa] Saif Gaddafi Captured Trying to Escape to Niger
The North Africa Journal | The ruthless Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the killed Libyan dictator Muamar Gaddafi was captured somewhere between Obari and Sabha, in the south of Libya. Saif was apparently preparing to cross to Niger....[North Africa] Manipulated, the Touaregs in Search for a Way Forward
The North Africa Journal | By Arezki Daoud | A dignified Berber population, the Touaregs often consider themselves as free nomadic pastoralist people and want to remain so. For decades, they have resisted pressure from various governments to force them to settle. But their refusal to do so led to retaliations in form of social segregation and economic "starvation." Vulnerable, the Touaregs have also become the toys of ruthless politicians and governments in the regions who have been using them to settle scores against one another....[North Africa] Post-Gaddafi Analysis: Deepening Crisis Expected in the Sahel and Beyond
The North Africa Journal | Already the source of terrorism, organized crime, failed states and misery, the Sahel can become even more dangerous for itself and its neighbors. The crisis in Libya is setting the stage for what appears to be a serious looming crisis. With the proliferation of weapons, an abundance of former pro-Gaddafi fighters, combined with the massive movement of migrants from Sub-Sahara Africa, the Sahel region is bracing for further destabilization....[North Africa] Petroleum Activity Resumes in Libya
The North Africa Journal | With the Gaddafi regime eliminated, oil industry activity is resuming in Libya on a fast pace. The Italian energy giant ENI, Libya's biggest player in the oil sector, managed to get its Mellitah Oil & Gas operation going, with a resumption of gas production from the offshore platform of Sabratha on November 2, 2011. ...[Energy and Mining] Oil and Energy Sectors Vulnerable to Corruption in North Africa
The North Africa Journal | Corruption in North Africa is a widespread and is a deeply rooted problem. So much so that the activists that are driving the revolts in the Arab world say many of ills that have been crippling economic, social and political progress originate from corruption. While corrupt acts such as paying bribery are widespread in administrations and bureaucracies, the business sector is particularly affected by corrupt practices as well. ...[Security and Politics] Inside Al Qaeda’s New Offensive in North Africa
The North Africa Journal: As we warned in an earlier assessment, Al Qaeda’s North Africa franchise, AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) appears to be on the move with what may be a fresh offensive in the region. Having been sidelined by the popular revolts that have swept the Greater Mid-East North Africa zone, the death of Osama Bin Laden, the fragile state of Tunisia’s transition, the state of nervousness in Algeria and Morocco amid calls for democracy, and the chaos in Libya are providing an opening for AQIM to both position itself in light of a new geopolitical environment and to strike again to regain global opinion’s mind share. ...[Security and Politics] Libya: Militias Terrorizing Residents of ‘Loyalist’ Town, HRW
The North Africa Journal | Beatings, Shootings, Deaths in Detention of Tawerghans: Militias from the city of Misrata are terrorizing the displaced residents of the nearby town of Tawergha, accusing them of having committed atrocities with Gaddafi forces in Misrata, Human Rights Watch said today. The entire town of 30,000 people is abandoned – some of it ransacked and burned – and Misrata brigade commanders say the residents of Tawergha should never return....Author info

