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The Jihadists in Africa's Sahel Zone: Expect More of the Same Despite Cleanup in Mali
The North Africa Journal | By Arezki Daoud | Many observers of the military intervention in Mali are praising the Franco-African troops for what they already consider a guaranteed victory. Although a military win is assured given the superiority of the French army, it may be more difficult to ascertain, that as a result, the Jihadists are defeated. Indeed, as we look at the months ahead and beyond, the possibility of a conflict spillover is the most likely scenario. If such scenario does not happen, then we can salute this intervention in Mali as a victorious one.
[News] Qatar's Dangerous and Murky Game in West Africa
The North Africa Journal | Qatar is not a stranger in nations where strange things are happening. Like Saudi Arabia, it is almost everywhere where civil wars, internal conflicts and crises are destroying whole nations. Qatari dollars can be traced in places like Libya, Pakistan, Indonesia, Syria, and the list goes on. It also seems to be wherever the Islamist Jihadist elements operate. In short: Qatar’s international meddling is just bad news....[North Africa] ArcelorMittal Site in Algeria Headed Toward Nationalization
The North Africa Journal | Steel giant ArcelorMittal may be given a lifeline and a gift of sort by the Algerian government. The company is reported to be wanting the Algerian government to acquire an additional 21% stake in its Annaba unit, northeast Algeria for $200 million. ...[North Africa] The Political Angle of a Stalled Moroccan Economy
The North Africa Journal | Skeptics of the Islamist PJD party’s role and position in government and its political enemies are rejoicing to the news that a little more than a year after taking the Prime Minister’s office no progress was delivered to the Moroccan people. As we pointed out in the early stages of the PJD’s control of the Primiership, PM Abdelilah Benkirane has inherited a disastrous economy to begin with and was likely to fail, risking to erode the image and credibility of his party, in particular among the working class and the disenchanted. ...[North Africa] Podcast: Understanding the Crisis in Mali
The North Africa Journal | As predicted, it is now war in Mali and the death toll among the rebels keeps rising. However, the root causes of this crisis are complex and there is a substantial risk of a protracted conflict considering that the major issues will not be solved with a military action only. In this audiocast, Arezki Daoud shares an analysis of this conflict, in a podcast released prior to the French intervention. Click below to listen....[North Africa] Mali Crisis Expanding: Mass Kidnapping of Westerners in a Saharan Oil Base
The North Africa Journal: The French military intervention against Islamist militants in northern Mali has added greatly to the insecurity in the region. In addition to the casualties of the conflict proper, Western interests, in particular French are being targeted wherever Al-Qaeda affiliated militants are present. ...[North Africa] Opinion: Moroccans Would Like to See Economic Growth Not a Religious Discourse
The North Africa Journal | In this oped, political Analyst Said Temsamani highlights the need for Morocco to focus on economic growth and move away from the religious narrative affecting political life. ...[News] Guest Opinion: More than Just a Goodwill Tour, the King of Morocco Takes his Vision on the Road
Former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward Gabriel shares his assessment of King Mohamed's visit to Gulf nations. ...[North Africa] Chart: Mobile Phone Adoption in Algeria
Source: The North Africa Journal...[North Africa] How to Secure the Sahel
By Arezki Daoud, The North Africa Journal | Thursday night, the northern Mali region of Kidal witnessed the first wave of serious clashes between the Touaregs and so-called Islamist group Ansar Dine, a group under the influence of Al-Qaeda. The event is critically important in that it confirms that the two groups, the Touaregs organized under the independence movement of the MNLA and the Al-Qaeda operatives in the region (Ansar Dine) have different agendas. As their key leaders have often stated, the Touaregs have not pledged allegiance to foreign Jihadist influences and will not do any time soon. That in itself is not only encouraging, but a major opportunity for those fighting the Jihadists and seeking to root them out. A fresh approach to the Sahel is needed and without an active participation of the Touaregs, the Sahel will remain a dangerous zone. Here’s why....What's new
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