Libya

Politics

Military & Security

On March 1, the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) passed a confidence vote on a new government -- the Government of National Solidarity -- with former Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha appointed as its prime minister, Reuters reported March 2.

Libya: HoR Approves Rival Government, Portending Political Turmoil

Security

The Difficulties of North African Reform

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the establishment of a parallel government in Libya would be inappropriate and that Turkey would still support Libya's current Government of National Unity over the likely soon-to-be-formed Government of National Solidarity, The Libya Observer reported Feb. 16.

Libya, Turkey: Erdogan's Support for Government of National Unity Strengthens Dbeibeh

Turkey's Resurgence

Tunisia

Members of Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council -- the main independent body governing the Tunisian judiciary -- rejected President Kais Saied's order to dissolve the body, Reuters reported Feb. 6.

Tunisia: Judicial Council Members Reject President's Order to Dissolve

Under the Libyan House of Representatives' roadmap, political institutions would amend the country's 2011 Constitutional Declaration, hold a constitutional referendum and hold elections 14 months later, Reuters reported Jan. 7.

Libya: HoR Approves New Political Roadmap Following Constitutional Referendum

Tunisia's interior minister appointed a new intelligence chief and several other senior ministry officials, Reuters reported Aug. 19. A day earlier, President Kais Saied also appointed a new National Guard commander and director-general of public security, according to a post on his official Facebook page.

Tunisia: New Security Chiefs, Senior Officials Appointed

Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda party has formed a committee to “manage” the current political crisis and find a way forward along a “democratic path” following President Kais Saeid’s recent move to freeze the legislature and fire the prime minister, according to an Aug. 12 statement published the party’s site. The statement also admitted culpability in Tunisia’s economic and political volatility, and that Ennahda’s “development achievements” had fallen short of the Tunisian people’s expectations. 

Tunisia: Ennahda Forms Body to Manage Political Crisis, Admits Role in Country’s Instability 

Judicial authorities in Tunisia have opened investigations into three political parties, including the Islamist Ennahda party, over alleged corruption and abuse of power, the AP reported July 28. 

Tunisia: Judiciary Opens Anti-Corruption Probes Against Parties, Lawmakers

In a statement issued on the evening of July 26, Tunisian President Kais Saied pledged to respect Tunisia’s rule of the law and democratic path following his controversial move to freeze parliament for 30 days and fire the prime minister. 

Tunisia: President Pledges to Respect Rule of Law Amid Political Turmoil

Between the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea lies North Africa, the birthplace of the Arab Spring, a region of high youth unemployment, militancy, porous borders and resource scarcity. The Arab Spring may have empowered the region’s political opposition movements, which have since pushed for a variety of reforms, but governments are pushing back, some more successfully than others. Restructuring social contracts under such conditions will be difficult task, one that will test the stability of governments that naturally want to stay in power.

The Arab Spring may have empowered North Africa’s political opposition movements, which have since pushed for a variety of reforms, but governments are pushing back, some more successfully than others.

Mauritania

Algeria

Egypt

Morocco

The Libyan Civil War

Old Leaders in a New Africa

Egypt's Uphill Battle

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

A Crude Recovery

Assessments

Tunisian protesters raise national flags during a demonstration against their president in the capital of Tunis on March 20, 2022. 

Economics

The backlash against President Saied's move to extend his power grab could spur violent protests and delay needed economic reforms.

In Tunisia, the President's Dissolution of Parliament Will Deepen His Country's Crises

Snapshots

Morocco's Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) hold a post-election press conference in Rabat on Sept. 9, 2021.

Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

The ruling PJD's loss of 112 parliamentary seats reflects Moroccans’ economic frustrations, as well as the waning popularity of Islamist politics in the country.


Morocco’s Main Islamist Party Suffers a Crushing Electoral Defeat 

Tunisian President Kais Saied is seen at Belgium’s Royal Palace in Brussels on June 3, 2021. 

The uncertainty created by an extended period of executive authority will exacerbate the North African country’s economic and political crises.

Tunisia’s President Indefinitely Suspends Parliament. What Now? 

A protester lifts a Tunisian flag at an anti-government rally in Tunis on July 25, 2021.

Domestic support and promised foreign aid will enable President Saied to make further disruptive moves as he sees fit. 

Tunisia Braces for a Prolonged Political Crisis 

Tunisia’s government headquarters in Tunis is seen barricaded on July 26, 2021.

Broken Contracts in the Middle East

President Saied’s move to freeze parliament risks further destabilizing the already cash-strapped and COVID-ridden country. 

A President’s Apparent Power Grab Tests Tunisia’s Democracy

Western Sahara

A bulldozer passes by a hilltop manned by Moroccan soldiers in Western Sahara on Nov. 23, 2020.

If Rabat makes more controversial statements, tensions with Algiers could escalate to economic and/or military actions.

The Risks of Algeria and Morocco’s Latest Diplomatic Row Over Western Sahara

The Secretary-General of Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) holds a press conference on the party’s electoral victory in the capital of Algiers on June 16, 2021.

Many Algerians will view the ruling FLN party’s electoral victory as proof nothing has changed, portending more protests and unrest. 

Algeria’s First Post-Bouteflika Ballot Leaves His Party in Power

Police block protesters from accessing the parliament building on Jan. 26, 2021, in Tunis, Tunisia.  

Environment, Science & Technology

Even if the country's current leaders are ultimately forced to step down, their successors won’t have the economic, political and social solutions that protesters are looking for. 

Protests Reveal the Depths of Tunisia’s Dysfunction 

COVID-19

Women carrying Saharan flags take part in a demonstration in San Sebastian, Spain, to demand the end of Morocco's occupation in Western Sahara on Nov. 16, 2020. 

The intensifying territorial dispute between Morocco and the region’s separatist movement risks spurring a far more serious battle with Algeria. 

Is Western Sahara on the Cusp of Another Conflict?

People walk past campaign billboards ahead of the upcoming constitutional referendum on a street in Algiers, Algeria, on Oct. 22, 2020. 

While likely to pass, Algiers’ proposed amendments will not appease protesters who have been pushing for deeper political reforms. 

What to Expect From Algeria’s Constitutional Referendum 

Legislators attend a plenary session in Tunisia's parliament on June 3, 2020.

Tunisia's third attempt to form a government in less than a year is unlikely to resolve the country’s dysfunctional partisan infighting and deepening economic crisis. 

Polarized Politics Plagues Tunisia’s Economic Prospects

The loss of agricultural production will force the already cash-strapped Moroccan government to import more crops and increase financial aid for the country’s farmers. 

The Difficulties of North African Reform

SITUATION REPORTS

Libya: HoR Approves Rival Government, Portending Political Turmoil

Libya, Turkey: Erdogan's Support for Government of National Unity Strengthens Dbeibeh

Tunisia: Judicial Council Members Reject President's Order to Dissolve

Libya: HoR Approves New Political Roadmap Following Constitutional Referendum

Tunisia: New Security Chiefs, Senior Officials Appointed

Tunisia: Ennahda Forms Body to Manage Political Crisis, Admits Role in Country’s Instability

Tunisia: Judiciary Opens Anti-Corruption Probes Against Parties, Lawmakers

Tunisia: President Pledges to Respect Rule of Law Amid Political Turmoil

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