Terror Attack on Gas Site: Algeria Faces Greatest Crisis in Decades
The North Africa Journal | Arezki Daoud | The terrorist attack perpetrated against an Algerian natural gas complex in the southeast of the country carries enormous implications for Algeria. The takeover of the In-Amenas gas complex could not only hurt Algeria’s hydrocarbons industry, but it also challenges that country’s multi-billion dollar security infrastructure built in and around the nation’s critical oil infrastructure. It is not an exaggeration to conclude that Algeria could face its biggest economic challenge in decades.
On Wednesday, January 16, 2013, Al-Qaeda affiliated group launched an unprecedented and daring assault on what is one of Algeria’s flagship industrial complexes in In-Amenas near the Libyan border. The assault led to a massive hostage taking event, involving dozen of foreign nationals, moving the takeover into an international crisis.
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Podcast: Understanding the Crisis in Mali
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Hundreds of Rebels Killed in Mali, Dangerous Implications Ahead
The North Africa Journal | Unconfirmed reports say the Franco-African offensive in Mali has claimed the lives of hundreds of Touareg rebels and militant Islamists. Observers in Mali put the number of dead militants to 800. Among those killed are some senior commanders including Mohamed Ag Aghaly Ag Wambadja, Moulaye Ag Ahmed, and Hassane Habré allegedly killed on January 10, 2013 in Kona.
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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. ... Full story
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Franco-African Military Offensive Begins in Mali
The North Africa Journal | Aided by West African and French troops, Mali’s government soldiers have began a long-awaited offensive against Islamist rebels in Northern Mali. ... Full story
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U.S. Endorses Algeria’s Lead Role in Mali Crisis, But Skeptics Abound
The North Africa Journal | By Arezki Daoud | Algeria’s diplomacy has scored a victory of sort following the statement made by US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns describing Algeria as the "leader" in the Mali crisis. The move provides Algeria with additional breathing room to get some factions in Northern Mali who have been pushing for independence to revert their position without resorting to force. It may also frustrate those who have been seeking to sideline Algeria fearing that in the eyes of the US, the UN and other global players Algeria could be seen as a regional power broker with growing responsibilities and oversight on economic and security issues.... Full story
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The North Africa Journal | Algiers has long been reluctant to participate in a military offensive in neighboring Mali to root out Islamist militants. Some of these militants are either seeking to create a separate state, and/or intend on imposing Sharia law. Already the northern part of Mali has fallen in the hands of a trio of organizations, namely the Mujao, Ansar Eddine and Al-Qaeda North Africa.... Full story
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