MENASource

Sep 12, 2019

Factbox: Tunisia’s precarious 2019 presidential election

By Adam Aluzri and Christiana Haynes

Voting booths open for the Tunisian presidential election this Sunday, September 15, in one of the world’s youngest democracies. Tunisians will be selecting their second president from among twenty-six candidates, including two women, with hopes of a new vision for addressing pressing issues about the economy, security, and political reform.

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Sep 5, 2019

Is the early presidential election a political turning point for Tunisia?

By Haykel Ben Mahfoudh

The results of the next Tunisian presidential election may change the political spectrum for the subsequent legislative elections too. During the last eights years, the political paranoia has been the rule, leading public opinion to discredit politicians and political parties.

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Aug 22, 2019

Tunisia could help enforce Libya’s arms embargo

By Keith Jones

In 2020, when Tunisia begins its two-year term as non-permanent member of the Security Council, the country will have the biggest opportunity to influence international affairs since becoming a democracy in 2011. In response to the appointment, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui declared “Tunisia will be the voice of Africa and the Arab world…Trying to […]

Libya

MENASource

Aug 22, 2019

How the EU can save Tunisia

By Iyad Yousef

The Tunisian presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014 marked the beginning of a new democratic era. In the aftermath of the first wave of the Arab Spring, Tunisia remains the only country to have successfully transitioned from an authoritarian to a democratic government.

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 26, 2019

The Christie’s Affair: The looting and sale of indigenous Egyptian artifacts

By Amal A. Kandeel and Noor Sullivan

This week, Egypt has commemorated the 67th anniversary of the expulsion of King Farouk, the last conduit for British control and exploitation of Egypt, and the establishment of the Egyptian republic. The generations who witnessed and participated in the struggle against imperial Britain are no longer alive. Yet widespread aversion to that earlier period still runs deep among Egyptian citizens and officials. 

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 3, 2019

Challenges for Egypt’s fragile stability

By Alessia Melcangi and Giuseppe Dentice

The death of Mohamed Morsi on June 17, the only president ever instated through democratic elections, arrived as a reckoning in post-revolutionary Egypt.

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 26, 2019

Reactions to Morsi’s death: Truth became a victim

By H. A. Hellyer

On June 17, 2019 Mohamed Morsi, the first democratically elected president in Egypt, died in court. Joyce Karam, a journalist based in Washington DC, tweets it out. His death released a myriad of emotions—and then the truth became a victim. Yet again.

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 12, 2019

Tunisia 2019’s elections: Is it time to negotiate or to rehabilitate democracy?

By Haykel Ben Mahfoudh

In October 2019, an estimated 6.7 million Tunisians will head to the polls to elect their next parliament and the following month elect a new president of the republic. Yet, the gains are significant in terms of consolidating the democratic process that started in 2011. However, five years after the adoption of a progressive constitution in 2014, the democratic transformation of the country reveals that it is still in its early stages.

North Africa

MENASource

May 31, 2019

The Tripoli offensive: How did things escalate?

By Borzou Daragahi

The forces of Libya’s rebel army officer Khalifa Haftar are on the outskirts of Tripoli, the capital of Libya, in his ongoing bid to claim the city. Some of his forces traveled more than 1,000 kilometers from Libya’s eastern towns where Haftar has his stronghold.

Libya

MENASource

May 9, 2019

Can there be a peaceful solution for Libya’s conflict?

By Mustafa A.G. Abushagur

If the international community continues to stay on the sidelines, watching and allowing Haftar’s international allies to continue providing him with support, this war will continue with no foreseeable end and at a heavy price

Libya