Headlines Mauritania

Mauritania: Gas production in Banda field May Start in Late 2014

Gas production in the Mauritanian Banda field may start in late 2014 or early 2015, it was announced in Nouakchott earlier this week. The construction of a gas pipeline for the Banda gas field, whose reserves are estimated at 500 billion cubic feet, may be entrusted to U.K.-based explorer Tullow Oil Plc (TLW). Construction works […]

Headlines Morocco

“Morocco without Plastic Bags” campaign launched

A nationwide awareness campaign to the danger of plastic bags on the environment and the need to use other alternatives was launched this week, under the motto “Morocco without plastic bags.” The campaign, sponsored by a local association, “Mawarid”, seeks to foster public awareness as to of the danger posed by non-biodegradable plastic bags to […]

Headlines Morocco

Vivendi selling Maroc Telecom stakes

Stakes owned by Vivendi SA in Maroc Telecom are being sold as part of debt reduction plan by the former. The sale is estimated to generate more than $5billion. Two potential investment banks have already been contacted by Vivendi but political policies might make a deal hard to come by, the source added. Vivendi accounts […]

Headlines Tunisia

Tunis Financial harbor, a strategic gateway

Tunis Financial harbor was the topic of discussion between the Tunisian government and Bahrain’s investment bank Gulf Finance House. The latter wants to develop the harbors aiming to be North Africa’s first offshore financial centre. A high profile delegation from GFH led by acting CEO, Hisham Alrayes, and Lutfi Alzaar, the CEO of Tunis Financial […]

Egypt Headlines

Egypt negotiates World Bank loan

Negotiations for a loan agreement have commenced between the World Bank and the Egyptian government for the financing of the privatization and restructuring of the public sector. The government is being urged by Dr. Fakhry El-Fekky, the former International Monetary Fund’s assistant managing director to uphold the privatization process that was began by the former […]

Columns Features Headlines Morocco Tunisia

Salafis and the paradox of Political Stability in Morocco and Tunisia

Before the Soviet Union controlled the former republics of Central Asia, Sufi brotherhoods dominated the religious scene in Chechnya, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. However, the Soviet policy toward Islam drove these Sufi groups underground for fear of persecution. In the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet bloc, legions of radical Islamists filled the gap left […]

Columns Morocco Opinions

Street Talk: Moroccan pros and cons about the ruling government

The Party of justice and development (PJD) is the first Islamic party to lead the government in Morocco’s modern history. This was the results of the early elections held in Morocco on November 25, 2011. The Islamist party won 107 out of 395 seats. Between pros and cons, the Moroccan society has different views about […]

Africa Headlines International Morocco

IOM Needs Funds for Sub-Saharans

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an appeal to aid donors to raise $ 800,000 to enable the intergovernmental organization provide reintegration support to up to 1,000 stranded Sub-Saharan African migrants who want voluntarily to return to their home on flights provided by the Moroccan government. The IOM assistance will be provided to […]

Headlines Tunisia

North Africa: Terrorism Evolution and Expansion

Tunisia’s president, Moncef Marzouki, has voiced concerns over insecurity in the region as he claims that Islamist militants linked to Al-Qaeda are moving towards North Africa from Southwest Asia. He blames their migration on the lack of policing of the Sahara desert by North African countries which heavily dominates the southern part of the region. […]