[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Maghreb and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Maghreb Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to maghreb@jadaliyya.com by Thursday night of every week.]
Algeria
Algerians in London protest against shale gas the lack of a national debate The Algeria Solidarity Campaign and Algerian Cultural Collective highlight the dangers associated with fracking, which has been given the green light in Algeria after March amendments to the Hydrocarbon Law.
Trouvailles De La Presse Algérienne. Ciel, le DRS Veut Faire La Peau A Bouteflika! Said Radjef probes the Department of Intelligence and Security’s unwavering support for Bouteflika to serve a fourth term.
Bouteflika reassures Algerians After suffering from a mini-stroke and receiving treatment in Paris, Bouteflika reassures the Algerian populace; the first time the president has spoken publicly about his health, reports Fidet Mansour.
Libya
Multiple Kidnappings of Media Workers Reporters Without Borders reports that multiple journalists covering controversial demonstrations have been kidnapped, highlighting the deterioration of safety for media workers.
Attack on the French Embassy in Tripoli: what now for Libya? Rhiannon Smith explores the motivations for and reactions to the French Embassy attack.
Blockades polarizing Libya; militiamen now hit Electricity Ministry Hadi Fornaji describes militia blockades of foreign buildings demanding enforcement of Libya’s Isolation Law, which bars any former Gaddafi-era officials from holding public office.
The New Libya Is Free, if You Don`t Count the Jailed Journalists Robert Beckhusen describes press insecurity in Libya and surrounding countries.
Mauritania
Moralité: la Mauritanie, un pays aux abois où les chiens passent... Vlane A.O.S.A. laments the lack of effort to integrate the Hratin people into Mauritanian politics and society, despite concerted efforts at recognition.
Growing gardens in the desert heat of Mauritania The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies describes efforts to combat malnutrition in Mali, where over one in three is hungry.
La Mauritanie : formidable richesses et Peuples Morts Hassan Saleh underscores the paradox of Mauritania’s resource richness, a richness not enjoyed by the Mauritanian people.
Morocco
Indignation : L’agonie silencieuse du Gran Teatro Cervantes Rim Filali Meknessi describes the struggle to save the hundred year old Gran Teatro Cervantes in Tanger.
Wanted for Atheism! Ahmed Benchemsi recounts the story of Imad Eddin Habib, a young blogger who has drawn attention – from the public and the government – to the taboo of atheism.
Conférence-congrès The Moroccan Association for Human Rights organized a conference on the Moroccan constitution and its potential in addressing human rights. (Video)
Manifestations du 1er mai: forte mobilisation des syndicats Lakome reports on robust May Day demonstrations in celebrations organized by Moroccan unions.
Abdellatif Laâbi imagine son Autre Maroc Soufiane Sbiti reviews Abdellatif Laabi’s new book “Un Autre Maroc.”
Tunisia
The President Hits and Misses Sarah Mersch offers a critical review of Tunisian interim president Moncef Marzouki’s recent book The Invention of Democracy.
Entretien avec Gilbert Naccache : Quel avenir pour la Révolution ? La construction d’un État de Droit est-elle la priorité en Tunisie ? Lilia Weslaty and Alexandre Bisquerra interview activist and writer Gilbert Naccache about his views on democracy and the future of the revolutionary spirit in Tunisia.
Menace terroriste: la Tunisie à l`épreuve Sarah Ben Hamadi asks whether Tunisia has become a corridor for AQIM traveling between Mali and Algeria.
Meriem Ben Mohamed: "Coupable d`avoir ètè violèe" Nadia Akari reviews Meriem Ben Mohamed’s somber book about her life as a young Tunisian woman, her 2012 rape by two police officers, and sexual violence in Tunisia.
Western Sahara
Sahara: le cout de l`autoritarisme Ali Anounzla and Aboubakr Jamaï point to further democracy as a necessary precursor to the recognition of Western Sahara as part of Morocco.
President of Republic: falling of 90 victims in recent Moroccan repression reveals intention to repeat Gdeim Izik scenario Mohamed Abdelaziz, SADR President and the Secretary General of the Polisario, writes a letter to the UN Secretary General describing injuries caused at the hands of “Moroccan occupation authorities.”
Africa`s Last Colony: UN Renews MINURSO`s Mandate in the Western Sahara Abdelkader Abderrahmane outlines the chronology of colonization and decolonization in Western Sahara as the UN MINURSO mandate is renewed this week.
Recent Jadaliyya Articles on the Maghreb
Libya: Which Fate for Gaddafi’s Henchmen? Abdullah Elmazzi outlines potential problems with Libya’s political isolation law, drawing comparisons with the de-Baathification of Iraq.
Alternative Worlds at the 2013 Social Forum in Tunis Frances Hasso describes her experiences at the recent WSF, highlighting its value as a “discursive and symbolic space” to explore alternatives to neoliberalism, patriarchy, and conflict.
Le Sahara, l’identité et l’africanité dans la littérature francophone du Sud-est: Moha Souag s’exprime Brahim el Guabli interviews Moha Souag about his body of francophone literature centering on the Sahara and identity.
Eye on the Libyan General National Congress: Sixth Report Jadaliyya reports on the Bokra Youth Organization and H20 Team’s evaluation of the actions of Libya’s General National Council.
من يكتب أدب الثورة؟ Brahim El Guabli explores the crucial role of literature in articulating revolution.
New Texts Out Now: Chouki El Hamel, Black Morocco: A History of Slavery, Race, and Islam Brahim El Guabli interviews Chouki El Hamel about his recent book published by Cambridge University Press.
Trial by Error: Justice in Post-Qadhafi Libya Jadaliyya reports on the International Crisis Group’s findings regarding “Libya’s pervasive insecurity.”