Maghreb Edition
The North Africa Journal – Nov 8, 2018: Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed announced on Monday evening a long-awaited ministerial reshuffle that the President of the Republic did not approve, magnifying the political crisis that has prevented the speedy recovery of Tunisia from its multiple crises. The new cabinet comprises seven members of Nidaa Tounes and as many from Ennahdha, as well as three members of Machrouaa Tounes, two from Al Moubadara, as well as independents.
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.
Leo Brent Bozell III has arrived in Pretoria as the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa, stepping into one of the most strained periods in bilateral relations in recent years. His appointment, amid disputes over Israel, Afrikaner rights allegations, and diplomatic expulsions, reflects a politically charged moment that could redefine the trajectory of U.S.–South Africa ties.
Algeria and Niger have ended months of strained relations and announced the operational launch of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a 4,000-kilometer project linking Nigerian gas fields to European markets through Niger and Algeria. The move signals both a diplomatic reset and a renewed push to position North Africa as a strategic energy corridor.
A Tunisian civil liberties organization has called for transparency and the release of opposition party leader Olfa Hamdi following reports of her detention. With no formal statement issued by authorities several days after the alleged arrest, rights advocates say the silence raises concerns about due process and the state of political freedoms in Tunisia.
