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OPINION
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Libya's
Passport Translation Debacle
The reform efforts are threatening to upset
the patronage networks built over the course of the Revolution.
Libya must either adapt these institutions to enable its
much vaunted reform process or create new ones for this
purpose.
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| 204th.
issue - December 18, 2007
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Security
Terror
in Algiers
By
Arezki Daoud
In his mid-thirties, AH smiled when he described to me the
joy of playing with his two young children. For him, having
a safe job to provide for his family was a great achievement
and something to protect. One day later on December 11,
2007, AH, a UN staffer in Algiers was tragically killed
in a terrorist attack, an unexplainable event that destroyed
the lives of dozens, most in their twenties. Still unaware
today, his brother is in Saudi Arabia performing his religions
duty of Hajj. The irony is that the killers may have been
motivated by poorly interpreted religious intentions and
yet they share the same religion as those they assassinated.
Diplomacy for Commerce
Sarkozy
the Conqueror
It is undeniable that France is making substantial progress
in re-asserting its leadership position in the Mediterranean.
The latest diplomatic offensive of the Sarkozy team did not
take a long time to fetch great deals for France. And with
multi billion dollar reserves stashed in North African coffers,
France is back, but this time not with boots and canons as
in 1830 but with armies of businessmen, engineers, and others
eager to grab a good portion of that money.
Information Technology
The
Moroccan IT Distribution Sector
The IT distribution sector in Morocco has been buoyed by a
new dynamic led by the implementation of a series of programs:
E-Gov, Protic, Genie and most recently the Progress Agreement
(2006-2012), which aims at narrowing the digital divide. The
gradual increase in household buying power, the decrease in
the cost of acquiring ICT equipment as well as innovations
in technology are all factors that, when combined with a low
IT penetration rate in Morocco, point to good prospects for
this sector.
Moroccan Politics
Turmoil
in the Moroccan Socialist World after Election Defeat
Long-time
leader of the Moroccan Socialist party (Parti Socialiste
PS) Mohamed El-Yazghi handed in his resignation as Secretary
General. This is the direct consequence of the defeat of
the socialists in the aftermath of the legislative elections
held September 7, 2007. El-Yazghi and other leaders have
been the subjected to intense criticism and attacks from
the grassroots for their handling of the election campaign
and the subsequent poor results.
Tunisian
Human Rights
UN
Committee Against Torture Rules on and Reviews Tunisian Cases
The
United Nations' Committee Against Torture condemned Tunisia's
mistreatment of a human rights activity. The committee also
received complains for the mistreatment and alleged torture
of a French-Tunisian national for her work on human rights
in the North African nation.
Urban
Issues
Earthquake
Readiness: Substandard Housing is Major Risk for Algerian
Cities
In
1980 when the then-town of El Asnam (Chlef today) was devastated
by an earthquake, famed geologist Haroun Tazieff warned of
the big one that was yet to come. His televised expert opinion
scared many and millions of Algerians did not like what they
heard. Decades later and the big one is indeed yet to come.
And yet nothing has been done to prepare the capital's housing
infrastructure as Algeria was busy dealing with its darkest
political era in its modern history. All it takes is to drive
in and around the city of Algiers to comprehend the looming
catastrophe if a strong earthquake hits. Experts say the whole
nation would suffer if the capital is hit by a quake measuring
7 degrees on the Richter scale. A similar event that destroyed
the province of Boumerdes to the east of the capital could
lead to far greater destruction and losses if it happens in
Algiers.
The
religious leaning political party Parti de la Justice et du
Développement (PJD) was once considered the favorite to win
the most seats in the current Moroccan legislative assembly,
following the election of September 7, 2007. Its dream to
control the legislative agenda and to form a government cabinet
was dashed by the last minute and unexpected victory of the
conservative right wing Istiqlal party. Istiqlal obtained
52 seats, compared to 46 for PJD, short of the predicted 70
to 80 seats every analyst, including The North Africa Journal
predicted.
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IN
THIS ISSUE
Brief
Business News
Morocco
and Tunisia Compete for French Tourists' Wallets
Moroccan/Algerian
Expats Biggest Senders of Money Home in MENA Region
The
Postponed Privatization of CPA Bank: Waiting for Citibank?
Slowing
Down the Russian March in Algeria
The
Moroccan IT Distribution Sector
Strong
Growth in Internet Access in Morocco But Subscribers below Half
Million
Second
Spanish Cement Plant in Tunisia to Begin Producing in 2009
Tunisia
Favored Relocation Site for French Call Centers
ENERGY/MINING
SECURITY,
POLITICS
& DIPLOMACY
Profile:
Morocco's Legal Islamist Political Party PJD
The
Shantytowns of Morocco: A Breading Ground for Terrorists
Muamar
Kaddafi and the Jihadists: The Leader is in the Eye of the Storm
Turmoil
in the Moroccan Socialist World after Election Defeat
Sarkozy
the Conqueror
Shaky
Future for Bouteflika's Reconciliation Policy
Earthquake
Readiness: Sub Standard Housing is Major Risk for Algerian Cities
UN
Committee Against Torture Rules on and Reviews Tunisian Cases
What's
behind the Passport Translation Debacle in Libya?
Terror
in Algiers
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