First Independent Mena Newspaper
After a one-month suspension, the extraction and exploitation of phosphates in the Gafsa mining basin (south-west) as well as the phosphate washing activities have resumed their normal pace last week. The transport of phosphate and triphosphate via the railway has also resumed starting from Métlaoui (one of the towns on the mining field) towards Gafsa, […]
The country is going through a transition period but its financial limitations has forced the Prime Minister to call for more financial support “before it’s too late” because those that pledged to help have not lived up to expectations. Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali called on the West to come to the country’s aid as he […]
It is common today to associate Salafism with radicalism, nihilist violence and failed states. In fact, Salafism is a heterogeneous religious and political tendency. Salafis agree on the glorification of the early Muslim community, its religious texts, its supposed unity, its energy and moral conduct. However, they differ considerably on the way to revive this […]
Huge financial challenges lie ahead according to Finance Minister Slim Besbes with estimations pegged around 7 billion dinars. The country is struggling to stand on its feet and it is hoping to raise the amount through loans and aids. The economy and revenue earning ventures are suffering from the effects of the revolution and the […]
The US elections and the monotonous presidential debates bear little to no substance on North Africa. In the much-anticipated third debate on foreign policy, there was scant mention of the countries of the Maghreb and their important strategic worth in US global fight against terrorism. Except for Libya (mentioned 12 times) in the context of […]
By 18 October 2012, a report that Salafis destroyed an 8,000-year-old petroglyph in Yakour Plain not far from Marrakesh quickly spread on Facebook and Twitter. The rock-drawing depicting the animistic divinity of the sun is one of thousands of stone carvings in the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains. Print and online newspapers repeated these rumors, […]
The air forces of the five Maghreb countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania &Tunisia) and their European partners France, Spain, Italy, Malta and Portugal have staged lately a joint aerial military drill destined to counter terror threats. The joint regional exercise, code-named “Circaete 2012”, seeks to enhance the combat capabilities of the air forces to prevent […]
In February 2012, the European Parliament approved proposals to reduce restrictions on agricultural and fisheries exports from Morocco into the EU, and to allow Morocco to participate in EU single market programs (on competitiveness and innovation, customs, transport). A few days later, on 1 March 2012, a free trade area (FTA) in industrial goods was […]
Tunisia’s government has blocked the launch of a new airline company dubbed “Jasmin Airways” which was initially set to operate early 2013. The Tunisian ministry of transport did not grant the new airline operating rights, apparently fearing tough competition and seeking to protect flag carrier Tunisair (TU) suffering deep losses. “The creation of Jasmin Airways […]
Tunisia has approved the renewal for an additional three year period of the Sfax offshore exploration permit awarded to Eurogas International Inc. and its joint venture partner, Atlas Worldwide Exploration Ltd (“APEX”). Under this first renewal period that will extend from December 9, 2012 to December 8, 2015, the exploration corporation will have to drill […]