Columns Headlines Tunisia

Tunisian autocrat puts potential rivals in jail ahead of presidential elections

Tunisia’s authoritarian leader kais Saied is paving the way for his re-election by sending his rivals to jail under bogus charges. The manipulation of the judiciary is the most recent episode in a process of power consolidation by Saied who has destroyed the country’s checks and balances, gearing Tunisia to its pre-Arab Spring authoritarianism. On […]

Africa Americas Headlines International

US military completes withdrawal from Niger, hands over last base

The United States has concluded its military presence in Niger, transferring control of its last base to local authorities. This marks the end of a crucial hub for American counterterrorism operations in the region. The handover of Airbase 201 in Agadez follows the recent withdrawal from Airbase 101 in Niamey, adhering to the September 15 […]

Headlines Mauritania

Mauritania forms new government under re-elected president Ould El Ghazouani

Following the re-election of Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Mauritania unveiled the line-up of a new cabinet, led by Prime minister Mokhtar Ould Diay. The new government has 29 ministers, many of whom are Morocco-educated. Prime Minister Diay is a graduate of Morocco’s data and statistics postgraduate school in 1997. Defense minister Hanana Ould Sidi […]

Africa Headlines International

Kenya: President Ruto backs rival Odinga in race to chair African Union Commission

Kenya has officially submitted the candidacy of historic opponent Raila Odinga to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat in the race to chair the African Union Commission, Nairobi announced in a press release. The election is due to take place in February 2025. Following the principle of rotation, it is the turn of the East African […]

Americas Asia Business Emerging Markets Headlines International Morocco

Moroccan airline RAM to resume Casablanca-Beijing flights in January 2025, to launch Casablanca-Toronto route in December 2024

Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc said it will resume direct flights linking Casablanca and Beijing starting 20 January 2025, and will launch Casablanca-Toronto route on 8 December this year. The airline will operate three flights weekly between Morocco and China, after nearly a five-year halt suspension due to the Covid 19 pandemic. RAM will […]

Africa Asia Business Emerging Markets Headlines International

African countries aim to broaden cooperation with China at upcoming FOCAC in Beijing

Political leaders from many African countries and representatives of relevant regional and international organizations will participate in this year’s Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that will be held in Beijing September 4-6, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced. Leaders of FOCAC’s African members and representatives from all around the continent reportedly plan […]

Africa Emerging Markets International

Fitch downgrades Kenya after protests

Fitch Ratings has lowered Kenya’s credit rating from “B” to “B-”, pointing to increased risks to the nation’s finances after the government retracted planned tax measures due to public protests. The Kenyan government, yielding to demonstrators, scrapped a tax proposal intended to generate an additional $2.7 billion in revenue, a move initially advised by the […]

Africa Headlines International

Niger’s oil exports under threat as FPL rebels warn of more attacks on China-funded pipeline

Niger’s oil exports are under threat, as armed rebels have warned of more attacks on the pipeline designed to carry oil to neighboring Benin, prompting a Chinese state-owned petroleum company to recently suspend all construction at the Agadem oilfield in eastern Niger. Recent months have seen a series of attacks by the Patriotic Liberation Front […]

Headlines Morocco

ISIS sympathizer suspected of planning large-scale terrorist plots arrested in Marrakech

Marrakech’s judicial police arrested on Monday an 18-year-old, suspected of being a supporter of the terrorist organization ISIS. The suspect has reportedly been planning large-scale terrorist attacks targeting sensitive sites within the Kingdom, according to a statement from the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ). The operation, conducted on intelligence provided by the General Directorate […]

Americas Europe Headlines International Morocco

Defense: Morocco & U.S. strengthening cooperation in electronic warfare amid mounting regional tension

Morocco is strengthening its military cooperation with the United States and western allies in electromagnetic warfare through “Arcane Thunder 24” exercise which is taking place in the North African Kingdom and Germany this August 5 through 16. A press release issued by U.S. Army Europe/Africa Command says this multi-domain exercise is designed to reinforce strong […]