Maghreb Edition
The North Africa Journal – November 19, 2018: Algeria is having some diplomatic kerfuffle with France and Switzerland these days. With the French, the feud is about new limitations in issuing Schengen visas to Algerian members of parliament. With the Swiss, the resurrection of a legal case against a former Algerian top general, Khaled Nezzar, is irking Algiers.
Morocco is facing its largest wave of unrest in years, with mass protests erupting across major cities demanding better hospitals, schools, and an end to corruption.
More than 160 people were killed in predominantly Muslim farming communities in Kwara State, Nigeria, after villagers reportedly refused to accept an extremist group’s strict religious rule.
Egypt’s latest cabinet reshuffle brought a new defense minister, revived the Information Ministry, and changed multiple economic and service portfolios. From Cairo’s standpoint, the move is designed to tighten execution, stabilize institutions, and preserve strategic flexibility as Egypt manages economic strain and a more volatile regional environment.
A mixed passenger and cargo vehicle hit an improvised explosive device near Baroua in Niger’s Diffa region, killing at least eight people and injuring others. The attack highlights how mines and roadside bombs are tightening the squeeze on civilians across the Sahel, disrupting travel, trade, and basic access to services.
