[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
L’excédent commercial de l’Algérie chute de 45% Hayet Zitouni reports on the abysmal indicators of the Algerian economy, including a drop of forty-five percent in the trade surplus.
Disparitions Forcées: «L’Algérie Essaie De Classer L’affaire» In this interview with DZActiviste, Nassera Dutour, spokeswoman for the Collective of Families of the Disappeared in Algeria, describes the incredible difficulty in gaining justice for those disappeared since the violence of the nineties.
Un rassemblement brutalisé Houria Alioua describes the brutal police attack on a f’tour meal organized by members of the National Coordination for the Defense of the Unemployed.
Libya
The deepening crisis in Libya Mohamed Eljarh describes the continual political turmoil in Libya and political and public reaction to it.
Caibinet reshuffle u-turn - Zeidan After his initial announcement that he would be reshuffling the Libyan government, Zeidan announces this will be impossible because of the “structure” of the cabinets.
Benghazi faces tough task securing streets Ali Algattani describes the difficult job faced by the Libyan Special Forces without the proper equipment and funding.
Mauritania
مواطنون يتظاهرون رفضا لاستغلال غابة محمية من رجل أعمال Mauritanian citizens protest the exploitation of forests south of Nouakchott.
Le racisme d’Etat fait rage en Mauritanie After the repression of significant demonstrations at Kaédi, this analysis offers insight into the institutionalized state racism in Mauritania.
Avec les émeutes de Kaédi, la Mauritanie pouvait - a failli - revivre les événements de 89 et même pire Baye Tidiane Diagana underscores the significance of the Kaédi demonstrations as a turning point for Mauritania.
Morocco
Coupable… de manger Malika Filali describes her decision whether to fast or not during Ramadan as uniquely her own.
Le violeur d`enfants de Kenitra Activist Hamza Mahfoud calls for demonstrations on 2 August in response to the royal pardon of a rapist and pedophile as a gift to the king of Spain.
J`accuse Driss El Ghaib expresses his horror and frustration at the July 30 pardon of a pedophile.
Maroc: dynamiques sociales de la crise economique Chawqui Lotfi underscores the troubling state of the Moroccan economy and its continuing decline.
DanielGate : Personne ne veut assumer la grâce royale du pédophile espagnol Mohamed Ezzouak illuminates the reactions of the press to DanielGate.
Tunisia
Tunisia: Political Crisis Escalates After 8 Soldiers Killed in Ambush Afef Abrougui highlights the implications of the brutal murder of eight young soldiers on the Tunisian-Algerian border.
Tunisia: Protesters Describe Teargas Attacks, Beatings Witnesses describe violence against protestors, including excessive use of teargas to dispel demonstrations.
Tunisia’s turning point Genevieve Theodorakis frames the assassination of Mohamed Brahmi as an attack on Tunisia’s democratic process while drawing attention to the ineffectiveness of the current government in curbing political violence.
Tunisia`s Economy Further Shaken By Wave of Violence Salma Bouzid reports on the faltering Tunisian economy and implications of the new unrest.
L’UGTT demande la dissolution du gouvernement, Ali Laaridh refuse Lilia Weslaty reports that Tunisia’s general labor union has called for the dissolution of the Tunisian government.
Western Sahara
Western Sahara: The Lingering Conflict Anouar Boukhars reveals his findings after interviews in Western Sahara, explaining the local desire for self-governance.
Recent Jadaliyya Articles on the Maghreb
Complicity and Indifference: Racism in Morocco Samia Errazzouki highlights the endemic problem of racism in Morocco and the failure of the government to address it.
تونس: الأزمة والأفق المسدود Myriam Guetat condemns partisanship in the Tunisian government and questions its legitimacy since the 2011 elections.
Portrait of Mohamed Brahmi Lilia Blaise paints a portrait of a man of conviction and integrity, but also a threat to many in Tunisian politics, up to his last days.
Snapshot: Tunis Laura Boushnak offers insight into women and social activism in Tunisia’s capital in this photo essay.
What Is Wrong with US Aid to Tunisia Allison Good criticizes US foreign aid investment without corresponding institutional reform as detrimental to Tunisia’s transformation from a rent economy to a market economy.
Political Violence Threatens the Tunisian Experiment Stefano Maria Torelli situates Mohamed El Brahmi’s execution in the mounting political violence and stalemate in Tunisia, but concludes with hope.
Tunisia and the `Arab Spring` Reversal Fadil Alirizi probes the forces of counterrevolution in Tunisia and beyond.
The Journey of Protests in the Mediterranean and Beyond: A Discussion About and For Social Movements (Part 2) Paola Rivetti interviews Italian scholar Fulvio Massarelli on his newest book Rock the Casbah, dealing with labor activism, public space and revolution in Tunisia.
De la détention politique à la société civile : Entretien avec Fatna El Bouih Brahim El Guabli interviews Fatna El Bouih, activist and former political prisoner during the years of lead.