Africa https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:33:31 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 Africa – Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 Rights group accuses Egypt of disappearing 2 men detained in Bahrain https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-rights-group-accuses-egypt-of-disappearing-2-men-detained-in-bahrain/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:33:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658671 Egyptian citizens, Al-Sayyed Al-Ajez and Muhammad Al-Iraqi, were detained in Bahrain and forcibly deported to Egypt [@TheirRightAR/TWITTER]Their Right, a human rights organisation which specialises in defending prisoners of conscience in Egypt, yesterday accused the Egyptian authorities of disappearing two citizens who were detained in Bahrain and deported. The organisation posted on Facebook that Al-Sayyed Al-Ajez and Muhammad Al-Iraqi, both Egyptian citizens, were detained in Bahrain and forcibly deported to Egypt, but were not presented to the public prosecution, and their current whereabouts are unknown. Earlier, Egyptian human rights organisations said the Bahraini authorities had arrested the two Egyptian citizens on political grounds, although they had been legally residing in the country for eight years. Fifty-nine-year-old Al-Sayyed Al-Ajez, a father of eight who hails from Dakahlia Governorate, was arrested on 2 August over a 2014 judicial order […]]]> 658671 Football star Mohamed Salah isn't heading for Saudi https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-football-star-mohamed-salah-isnt-heading-for-saudi/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:50:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658622 Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up prior to the Premier League match at Anfield on May 08, 2021 in Liverpool, England [Alex Pantling/Getty Images]Liverpool football player Mohamed Salah will not be transferred to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad, according to the Egyptian player's agent Rami Abbas. "If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn't have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed remains committed to LFC," Abbas wrote on Twitter yesterday after recent reports in the Saudi press that Al-Ittihad had offered the Egyptian international €180 million ($198 million) for two seasons, in addition to the £60 million ($77 million) that his club, Liverpool, would receive. The Egyptian football star has a contract with Liverpool that is valid until 2025; and is currently preparing for the start of the English Premier League season. Liverpool will not participate in the Champions League this season because it […]]]> 658622 Market prices in Somalia rise after Black Sea grain deal terminated https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-market-prices-in-somalia-rise-after-black-sea-grain-deal-terminated/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:22:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658366 A shop keeper at Ansaloti food market in Mogadishu on 21, 2022 in Mogadishu, Somalia [Jonathan Torgovnik/Getty Images]Market prices in Somalia increased after Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, reports Anadolu Agency. In Africa, 25 countries currently rely on Russia and Ukraine for over one-third of their imported wheat. In some countries, the dependency on external sources for grain has surpassed 90%. During the Russia-Africa Summit on July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country will provide free grain to six African countries in the next three to four months. "We will be ready in the coming months, in the next three to four months, to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea with 25,000-50,000 tons of grain free of charge. We will also provide free […]]]> 658366 1st batch of migrants in UK moved to Bibby Stockholm barge, more expected https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-1st-batch-of-migrants-in-uk-moved-to-bibby-stockholm-barge-more-expected/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:01:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658363 A group of supportive demonstrators welcome asylum-seekers as they are transferred to the Bibby Stockholm, a barge turned into a temporary housing, at the Portland Harbour in Dorset, United Kingdom on August 07, 2023 [Raşid Necati Aslım/Anadolu Agency]The first batch of UK asylum seekers has arrived on the Bibby Stockholm barge as more migrants are expected to move later Monday, reports Anadolu Agency. Video footage showed a bus with the migrants entering the port, although the exact number of arrivals is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, a number of people also gathered near the entrance of the port to protest the government's asylum policies, especially the barge plan. Carrying placards, the protesters chanted slogans: "'Refugees are welcome here,' 'No prison barge,' and 'Stop the far-right'." The British government's plan to start moving the first batch of 50 migrants to the barge, moored at Portland Port in Dorset in the country's southwest for three weeks, was delayed last […]]]> 658363 UK increases fines for bosses, landlords supporting 'illegal migrants' https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-uk-increases-fines-for-bosses-landlords-supporting-illegal-migrants/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:35:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658361 Border Force Vigilant and Typhoon bring migrants ashore at Dover Harbour in Dover, United Kingdom on May 17, 2022 [Stuart Brock/Anadolu Agency]Fines in the UK will be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow "illegal migrants" to work for them or rent their properties, the government announced on Monday, terming it the "biggest shake up" of civil penalties since 2014, reports Anadolu Agency. It is the latest attempt by the government to prevent asylum seekers crossing the English Channel on small boats. "The civil penalty for employers, which was last increased in 2014, will be raised to up to £45,000 ($57,400) per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000 ($19,130), and up to £60,000 (some $76,500) for repeat breaches from £20,000 ($25,500)," the Home Office said in a statement. Meanwhile, fines will increase for landlords from £80 per […]]]> 658361 Clashes intensify in Ethiopia's Amhara region as local militia challenges military control https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-clashes-intensify-in-ethiopias-amhara-region-as-local-militia-challenges-military-control/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:40:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658354 People hold up signs at a demonstration to bring awareness to the mass ethnic cleansing of ethnic Amharas in the Gimby Zone in Western Wollege, Oromia Region in Ethiopia on June 30, 2022 in Washington, DC [J. Countess/Getty Images]The conflict in Ethiopia's Amhara region reached a critical point on Monday as Ethiopia's federal authorities acknowledge the loss of territories to militia fighters, reports Anadolu Agency. Fighting continued Monday between local militias and the military in the Amhara region. Both Bahir Dar, the regional capital, and the historic city of Gondar have become the epicenters of violent confrontations, leading to deep distress among the local population. The fighting in the Amhara region involves the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and the Fano Militia. Clashes in the region started in April, triggered by the federal government's decision on April 11 to issue an integration order. The order aimed to merge security forces from Ethiopia's 11 regions into the federal forces, […]]]> 658354 Parts of Africa are switching from obedience to France, to obedience to Russia https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-parts-of-africa-are-switching-from-obedience-to-france-to-obedience-to-russia/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:29:22 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658304 French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the plenary session of the "Africa-France" Summit in Montpellier, southern France, on 8 October 2021. [LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images]In my previous article, I mentioned the military coups in the Arab region, which are a plague. They were not done for the sake of God and the homeland, but rather for the sake of America and its interests and influence in the region. America came up with the idea of coups and encouraged other colonisers to follow suit. We now see Russia creating a coup in Niger from behind the scenes and overthrowing elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who is loyal to France. Russia used senior Niger army officers loyal to Moscow to lead the coup and create a military council headed by Abdul Rahman Chiani. It was Chiani who announced the expulsion of 1,500 French soldiers from Niger and […]]]> 658304 Egypt hotel asks Israel model to leave over 'nationality' https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-egypt-hotel-asks-israel-model-to-leave-over-nationality/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:40:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658289 Shay Zanco [shayzanco_/Instagram]An Israeli model and influencer was expelled from a hotel in Egypt after management discovered her nationality, according to Israeli media. Yesterday, the Jerusalem Post reported that Shay Zanco "arguably one of Israel's most successful models," was kicked out of the hotel in Cairo having arrived in the country as part of the entourage of US rapper Travis Scott whose planned concert at the Pyramids in Giza was cancelled by Egypt's Musicians Syndicate over the show being at odds "with the societal values, customs, and traditions of Egypt and the Arab world." The Post reported that despite the show being called off, Zanco decided that she would visit tourist sites and make the most of her stay, "However, within about a day of her arrival, her hotel discovered […]]]> 658289 Tunisia: 10 bodies recovered off coast of Sfax over 48-hour period  https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-tunisia-10-bodies-recovered-off-coast-of-sfax-over-48-hour-period/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 07:37:00 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658254 Irregular migrants are seen with Tunisian National Guard off the city of Sfax in the south of Tunisia on October 28, 2022 [Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency]Tunisian authorities recovered ten bodies over a 48-hour period from the coast of Sfax on the Mediterranean, they revealed yesterday. "Ten bodies were recovered in the last 48 hours by coast guard units on the coasts of Louata in Sfax," the Tunisian National Guard, which is affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior, said in a brief statement. Prosecutors in Sfax were authorised to take necessary measures regarding using forensic medicine to identify the victims, the statement continued. Tunisia has witnessed a remarkable increase in the pace of irregular migration to Europe across the Mediterranean, especially towards the coasts of Italy, due to the repercussions of the economic and political crises in the region. Earlier this year, Tunisian President Kais Saied said that his country […]]]> 658254 Algerian President Tebboune rejects any possible military intervention in Niger https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-algerian-president-tebboune-rejects-any-possible-military-intervention-in-niger/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 16:17:59 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658213 Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gives a speech at El Mouradia Palace, in Algiers, Algeria. [Fazil Abd Erahim - Anadolu Agency]Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has rejected any external military intervention in Niger, where a military coup overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum last week, Anadolu reports. "A military intervention could ignite the whole Sahel region and Algeria will not use force with its neighbors," Tabboune said in an interview with local media on Saturday. "No solution is possible in Niger without the participation of Algeria, as it is concerned by what is happening in this neighboring country," he said, adding: "Algeria is willing to help the Nigeriens restore the constitutional legitimacy." On July 26, a group of soldiers calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country delivered a statement on Nigerien state television shortly after detaining President Mohamed Bazoum, […]]]> 658213 Will Saudi Arabia make Friday a working day? https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-will-saudi-arabia-make-friday-a-working-day/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 15:45:33 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658192 Prospective pilgrims continue their worship to fulfill the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. [Elif Öztürk Özgöncü - Anadolu Agency]In a thought-provoking op-ed published on Friday by Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Okaz, entitled "Friday is a working day," writer Mona Al-Otaibi questions whether the Kingdom's traditional Friday-Saturday weekend needs an overhaul, igniting a debate on social media. The piece highlighted the potential financial losses incurred due to Friday being an important workday in the financial world, and it has sparked discussions about whether Saudi Arabia should consider shifting its weekend to Saturday-Sunday, following in the footsteps of neighbouring UAE which made the controversial change last year, after plans were announced in 2021. At the time, the Emirati the government said it would "ensure smooth financial, trade and economic transactions with countries that follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend, facilitating stronger international […]]]> 658192 Libya urges neighbors, ECOWAS to cooperate for Niger's stability https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-libya-urges-neighbors-ecowas-to-cooperate-for-nigers-stability/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:08:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658178 Smoke rises after coup supporters set fire to the headquarters of President Mohamed Bazoum's party, the Party for Democracy and Socialism in Niger (PNDS-TARAYA) in Niamey, Niger on July 27, 2023. [Balima Boureima - Anadolu Agency]Libyan Presidential Council President Mohamad al-Menfi highlighted the importance Saturday of cooperation between neighboring countries and an African bloc for regional stability, particularly in Niger, Anadolu reports. Menfi met Nigeria's Special Envoy Babagana Kingibe, who is the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Tripoli, according to a statement from his office. Kingibe delivered a letter from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Menfi expressed satisfaction with consultations between Libya and Nigeria to maintain stability in Niger. He cited the military takeover of the elected government in Niger is not acceptable and stressed the importance of cooperation between Libya, Algeria, Chad and ECOWAS to preserve stability in Niger and the region. READ: Algeria, EU call for return […]]]> 658178 Turkish Coast Guard saves 130 migrants pushed back by Greece https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-turkish-coast-guard-saves-130-migrants-pushed-back-by-greece/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:47:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658160 Turkish Coast Guard units rescue 130 irregular migrants after Greek authorities pushed them into Turkish territorial waters in Izmir, Turkiye. [Turkish Coast Guard Command - Anadolu Agency]A total of 130 irregular migrants pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces were rescued on Saturday by the Turkish Coast Guard off the coasts of western Izmir province's Menderes, Karaburun, Foca and Cesme districts, Anadolu reports. Meanwhile, 265 irregular migrants and a migrant smuggler were caught off the coasts of Karaburun and Dikili. Irregular migrants were handed to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after procedures. READ: Tunisia rescues 15,000 migrants in first half of 2023 And 170 irregular migrants in rubber boats were caught by the Coast Guard off the coast of western Canakkale province's Ayvacik district. Coast Guard Northern Aegean Group Command teams detected four rubber boats with irregular migrants off the coast of Ayvacik. During […]]]> 658160 Algeria, EU call for return of 'constitutional order' in Niger https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-algeria-eu-call-for-return-of-constitutional-order-in-niger/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:38:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658155 Coup supporters gather to stage a demonstration to protest the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries to sanction Niger and to support the army, in Niamey, Niger on August 3, 2023. [Balima Boureima - Anadolu Agency]Algeria and the EU have called for unifying political and diplomatic pressures to ensure a return of the "constitutional order" in Niger, Anadolu reports. This came during a phone call between Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and EU foreign policy chief, according to a statement issued by the Algerian Foreign Ministry. The duo discussed developments in Niger and exchanged views on the threats they pose to both Niger and the entire region. READ: Algeria warns against foreign military intervention in Niger Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution in Niger, saying: "We call for the restoration of constitutional legitimacy, and if they seek assistance from Algeria in this matter, we would gladly welcome it." On July […]]]> 658155 Egyptian, UAE presidents discuss bilateral relations, regional issues https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-egyptian-uae-presidents-discuss-bilateral-relations-regional-issues/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:28:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658153 President of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) is welcomed by the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (R) with an official ceremony at Al Ittihadiyah Palace in Cairo, Egypt. [Presidency of Egypt - Anadolu Agency]Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is on an official visit to Egypt, Anadolu reports. According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, the two leaders met in the city of Al-Alamain and discussed regional and international issues. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen the frameworks and mechanisms of joint cooperation between the two countries. The two also underlined the 'importance of intensifying joint Arab action to confront the growing regional and global challenges.' READ: US senators call for withholding of military aid to Egypt over human rights record]]> 658153 US senators call for withholding of military aid to Egypt over human rights record https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-us-senators-call-for-withholding-of-military-aid-to-egypt-over-human-rights-record/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 07:54:17 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658140 Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in Badr city, Egypt on January 16, 2022 [Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images]A group of senators in the United States have urged the government to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Egypt, citing the country's increasingly poor human rights record. In a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week, 11 senators – including ten high-profile Democratic senators such as Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown, Tim Kaine, and the independent Bernie Sanders – highlighted the Egyptian government's failure to improve its human rights violations as a cause to withhold up to $320 million of the overall $1.3 billion allocated for military aid to the country if it continues to not address the issue. The senators cited a provision in the 2022 fiscal year State Department funding bill […]]]> 658140 Tunisia eager to strengthen relations with UAE: President https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-tunisia-eager-to-strengthen-relations-with-uae-president/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 15:19:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658136 President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets Tunisian President Kais Saied during International Conference on Development and Migration in Rome, Italy on July 23, 2023. [UAE Presidential Court - Anadolu Agency]Tunisia's president highlighted the importance his country attaches to strengthening relations with the United Arab Emirates, the Tunisian Presidency said Friday, Anadolu reports. Kais Saied received Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, at the Carthage Palace, it said on Facebook. During the meeting, Saied pointed to the solid foundations of the promising bilateral relations for partnerships between the two countries in various sectors, including renewable energy, seawater decontamination, health, digital transformation, education, tourism and infrastructure, the statement noted. READ: Tunisia rescues 15,000 migrants in first half of 2023 Emphasizing that his country cares about strengthening and diversifying relations with the UAE, Saied emphasized that UAE investments in various […]]]> 658136 Denmark studying legal measures to prevent Quran burning: Egyptian Foreign Ministry https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-denmark-studying-legal-measures-to-prevent-quran-burning-egyptian-foreign-ministry/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:29:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658102 Egypt Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid [Twitter]Denmark is studying several measures and legislation to prevent the recurrence of Quran burning incidents, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen affirmed this in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement. Rasmussen told Shoukry that the recent incidents involving the burning and desecration of the Quran in Denmark were "regrettable and contradicted Denmark's societal values," the statement added. Reiterating Egypt's strong condemnation of Quran burning, Shoukry said that such incidents provoke Muslims worldwide. READ: Iran-born Swedish woman burns Quran in Stockholm He also affirmed that these incidents violate human rights, threaten peaceful coexistence and fuel extremism. On Tuesday, despite wide-ranging condemnation, members […]]]> 658102 Head of Salvation Front: 'Tunisia needs a rescue government, national dialogue without president' https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-head-of-salvation-front-tunisia-needs-a-rescue-government-national-dialogue-without-president/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:58:07 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658089 Tunisian opposition leader Ahmed Najib Chebbi in Tunis, Tunisia. [Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency]Ahmed Najib Chebbi, head of the National Salvation Front (the largest opposition bloc), urged that Tunisia needs a national rescue government resulting from a national dialogue: "In which President Kais Saied does not participate, as he rejected previous dialogue initiatives led by the Labour Union with a number of other organisations that received the Nobel Peace Prize." In a press conference on Friday in the capital, he added: "Tunisia is in a state of disintegration and needs a rescue government in which the various political forces participate and has political support so that it is not isolated, but can rather save the country from the crises it is going through." Chebbi also criticised the new Prime Minister Ahmed Al-Hachani, describing […]]]> 658089 Tunisia rescues 15,000 migrants in first half of 2023 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-tunisia-rescues-15000-migrants-in-first-half-of-2023/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:51:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658086 African irregular migrants, including children, wait under the sun near the Ras Ajdir border crossing in the region close to Libya's Tunisian border, on July 26, 2023. [Hazem Turkia - Anadolu Agency]Tunisian Security Services have rescued 15,327 illegal migrants during the first half of 2023, Tunisian Interior Minister Kamal Feki announced on Friday. According to Feki, 95 per cent of the migrants hold African or sub-Saharan identities. He noted that the security services are carrying out a direct humanitarian follow-up in coordination with the relevant international organisations. In order to address the crisis, the security forces have been closely collaborating with pertinent international organisations, providing a humanitarian response and conducting fieldwork. The Tunisian minister considers what was reported by some international organisations untrue, especially a recent statement by the United Nations (UN) deputy spokesperson about the alleged treatment of African refugees and migrants on the Tunisian borders. "We are deeply concerned about […]]]> 658086 Egypt: Man kills woman, puts body in refrigerator https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-egypt-man-kills-woman-puts-body-in-refrigerator/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 09:55:20 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658079 Egyptian flags on February 25, 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. [Dan Kitwood/Getty Images]The city of Alexandria, north of Cairo, witnessed a horrific crime after a young man killed a woman and stored her body in the refrigerator. According to investigations by the Public Prosecution, the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested the suspect who confessed to committing the crime, sharing that the other suspects helped cover up his crime. The security services arrested two other suspects who participated in the crime. It was established from the investigations that the suspect's accomplice assisted by supplying a plastic bag, placing the body in the refrigerator, providing a fan to eliminate the smell and disposing of the victim's belongings, according to Sky News Arabia. Residents notified the police of an unpleasant smell coming from […]]]> 658079 Algeria announces further reduction in oil production by 20,000 barrels per day https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-algeria-announces-further-reduction-in-oil-production-by-20000-barrels-per-day/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 09:18:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658074 Shows the Raffinerie d'Alger is an oil refinery located in Sidi R'cine east of Algiers in Algeria. [Photo by Billel Bensalem/APP/NurPhoto via Getty Images]Algeria has announced a further voluntary reduction in oil production of 20,000 barrels per day to reach 940,000 barrels per day during August. This comes in compliance with the agreement to limit the production by the 13 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and 11 other non-OPEC members, known as OPEC+. This was announced in a speech by the Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab on Friday, during his participation in the 47th meeting of the OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) and others, which was held virtually. The OPEC+ alliance includes OPEC and allies, including Russia, and pumps about 40 per cent of the total global crude oil production. Arkab shared: "As we announced at […]]]> 658074 NOC: Eni, BP and Sonatrach lift force majeure and resume exploration in Libya oilfields https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-noc-eni-bp-and-sonatrach-lift-force-majeure-and-resume-exploration-in-libya-oilfields/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:31:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658055 The National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya building, in the capital Tripoli on July 16, 2018 [MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images]Three of the biggest foreign energy companies operating in Libya have lifted force majeure and resumed exploration in the country's oilfields, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced today, local Libyan news outlet reports. According to the report, NOC said it received "official notifications from the Italian company, Eni, and the British company, British Petroleum, regarding the lifting of force majeure and the resumption of exploration and contractual obligations in the blocks awarded to them in the Ghadames Basin (A-B) and offshore Block C." "The NOC also confirmed receiving an official notification from the Algerian company, Sonatrach, regarding the lifting of force majeure and the resumption of exploration and fulfilment of contractual obligations in blocks 065 and 96/95 in the Ghadames […]]]> 658055 Palestinians incite against Gaza once again https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-palestinians-incite-against-gaza-once-again/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:00:38 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657978 Palestinian children in Gaza take part in a protest calling for ending the siege on Gaza strip, on 17 July 2023 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Montiror]Early this week, hundreds of people in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis took to the streets calling for the Administrative Committee in the besieged enclave to provide them with a better quality of life. They also called for lifting alleged restrictions imposed on freedom of expression in Gaza. These people responded to calls made by a number of Palestinian youths who left Gaza after being released from prison. They live in Egypt or Europe and have repeatedly incited against Gaza and the Palestinian resistance. Calling for or organising demonstrations in protest against certain issues is a human right, but demonstrations should target the parties which cause crises or stand behind problems in order to put pressure on them […]]]> 657978 Moroccan women's football team progress to World Cup final 16 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-moroccan-womens-football-team-progress-to-world-cup-final-16/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:29:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657998 Moroccan women's football team progress to World Cup final 16WATCH: French pundit lashes out at hijabi footballer]]> 657998 Has the Muslim Brotherhood turned from friend to foe as Turkiye restore ties with Egypt? https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-has-the-muslim-brotherhood-turned-from-friend-to-foe-as-turkiye-restore-ties-with-egypt/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:30:52 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657976 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as they attend reception hosted by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar [Murat Kula/Anadolu Agency]After almost a decade of diplomatic deadlock, Egypt and Turkiye have agreed to restore diplomatic ties and high-level visits have already taken place between two countries. Recently, Egypt's commerce minister was in Turkiye and it was agreed the two sides would raise trade levels to $15 billion by 2030. This rapprochement began in early 2021 but the major breakthrough came during the inaugural ceremony of 2022 Qatar World Cup when both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel fattah Al-Sisi shook hands in the presence of Qatari ruler Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The relationship between the two had soured after Turkiye denounced the removal of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in a coup in July 2013. Erdogan […]]]> 657976 Saudi jails Egypt psychiatrist on terror charges following salary dispute, HRW reveals https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-saudi-jails-egypt-psychiatrist-on-terror-charges-following-salary-dispute-hrw-reveals/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:19:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657968 Egyptian psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi [@drmgaweesh/Twitter]Saudi Arabia jailed an Egyptian psychiatrist on charges of terrorism last year in an "unfair trial" due to a salary dispute that he won in the kingdom, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed. According to the rights group, 66-year-old Egyptian psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi – who was employed by the Saudi Ministry of Health between 2006 and 2019 – had won a court case against the kingdom's authorities to receive years of unpaid compensation that he was owed, after he discovered that he was paid far less than other colleagues. In January 2020, however, days before an appeals court decision in his civil case, plainclothes police officers – without a warrant – took him from his home in the north-west of the […]]]> 657968 Turkiye a factor in rising anti-colonial sentiment in West Africa, says expert https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-turkiye-a-factor-in-rising-anti-colonial-sentiment-in-west-africa-says-expert/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:07:35 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657930 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his visit of Anitkabir, founder of Republic of Turkiye, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum, in Ankara, Turkiye on August 03, 2023 [Murat Kula - Anadolu Agency]Turkiye's long-standing anti-imperialist stance and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's famous motto "The world is bigger than five," has been a factor in the rising anti-colonialist sentiment in West Africa, an expert said, Anadolu Agency reports. Professor Enver Arpa, Director of the Regional Studies Institute of the Ankara Social Sciences University, spoke to Anadolu about the anti-colonial sentiment in West Africa, especially among the youth. "President Erdogan, in his speeches, criticises the ongoing injustices in Africa and the brutal policies carried out during the colonial period. 'The world is bigger than five' is not a mere slogan, there is more to it than what is visible," said Arpa, who formerly headed Middle East and Africa at state-run charity, Turkish Cooperation and […]]]> 657930 No Ban? As Egypt releases Barbie film https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-no-ban-as-egypt-releases-barbie-film/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:02:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657920 Thumbnail - No Ban? As Egypt releases Barbie filmREAD: Egypt court lifts order to seize funds of 146 Muslim Brotherhood members]]> 657920 Number of hungry in Sudan rises above 20m https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-number-of-hungry-in-sudan-rises-above-20m/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:20:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657891 Sudanese who took shelter in a camp near Juba, is viewed as part of the 20 June World Refugee Day, 2023 in Juba, South Sudan [Samir Bol - Anadolu Agency]The estimated number of people facing acute food insecurity in Sudan has risen faster than expected to 20.3 million, or 42 per cent of the population, as a conflict between rival military factions deepens a humanitarian crisis, a food security body said, Reuters reports. The worst hit areas include the capital, Khartoum, the western region of Darfur, and parts of Kordofan, all of which have seen fighting, attacks and looting since the war broke out in mid-April, according to the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC), a partnership of UN agencies, NGOs and other groups. The conflict between Sudan's Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted amid disputes over an internationally backed plan for a transition to civilian rule, […]]]> 657891 Rights groups urge 'independent, impartial' probe into Greek migrant shipwreck https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-rights-groups-urge-independent-impartial-probe-into-greek-migrant-shipwreck/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:51:58 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657872 Protesters hold a banner during a demonstration following a deadly migrant shipwreck in Piraeus, Greece on June 18, 2023 [Dimitris Lampropoulos - Anadolu Agency]Human rights groups, on Thursday, underlined the need for an "independent and impartial investigation" into a migrant shipwreck off the coast of Greece in June that left more than 80 irregular migrants dead and hundreds of others missing, Anadolu Agency reports. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, in a joint statement, expressed concern over conflicting accounts from the Greek coastguard and survivors and underscored "the urgent need for an effective, independent and impartial investigation." On 14 June, a 30-meter-long fishing boat, "Adriana", capsized and sank about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Greece's southern coastal town of Pylos, with the majority of people on board from Pakistan, Syria and Libya. There were 104 survivors, with 82 bodies recovered out of 400-700 […]]]> 657872 Somalia suspends Chairwoman of National Athletics Federation https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-somalia-suspends-chairwoman-of-national-athletics-federation/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:49:06 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657870 4x400 metres mixed relay race final held during the 17th World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on September 29, 2019. [Serhat Çağdaş - Anadolu Agency]The Somali Olympic Committee announced, Wednesday, that it has suspended the Chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation for selecting an "unskilled" female athlete to represent the country at the FISU World University Games in China, Anadolu Agency reports. A statement issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports said Sports Minister, Mohamed Barre Mohamud, had directed the Olympic committee to take the action against Khadija Aden Dahir. The Somali Athletics Federation said Dahir has been temporarily suspended and was accused of "national defamation". "It is clear to the Ministry that Nasra (Abukar Ali) is not an athlete, and that Mrs. Khadija committed an act of abuse of power and defamation of the nation," the Sports Ministry said. Mohamud apologised to […]]]> 657870 Moroccan sentenced to five 5 after Facebook posts criticising normalised ties with Israel https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-moroccan-sentenced-to-five-5-after-facebook-posts-criticising-normalised-ties-with-israel/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:08:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657863 Moroccan policemen in Rabat, Morocco on 27 March 2020 [FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images]A Moroccan court has sentenced a blogger to five years in prison over posts on Facebook criticising the normalisation of relations with Israel that were deemed "offensive" to the monarchy, according to his lawyer. Lawyer Hassan Al-Sunni told AFP that his client, Saeed Boukayoud, 48, "was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for Facebook posts denouncing normalisation with Israel in a way that could be interpreted as criticism of the King." The facts of the case go back to December 2020, when Boukayoud, who resides in Qatar, published posts rejecting the agreement, which at that time required Morocco to resume its relations with the occupation state of Israel in return for the US recognising its sovereignty over the Western Sahara, according […]]]> 657863 French pundit lashes out at hijabi footballer https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-french-pundit-lashes-out-at-hijabi-footballer/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:00:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657858 Thumbnail - French journalist Philippe Guibert says Moroccan defender Nouhail Benzina's appearance in a hijab at the Women's World Cup is 'regressive'READ: France calls on Israel to end all unilateral measures likely to fuel tensions]]> 657858 Sudan: civilians living in 'unimaginable horror' https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-sudan-civilians-living-in-unimaginable-horror/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:51:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657849 People gather to protest against framework agreement signed between the military and civilians, which aims to resolve the governance crisis that has been going on since 25 October 2021 in Khartoum, Sudan on April 06, 2023 [Mahmoud Hjaj - Anadolu Agency]Civilians are living in "unimaginable horror" in Sudan, where the army and the Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since 15 April, Amnesty International has said in its latest report, "Death Came to our Door". The human rights group points out that there have been "mass civilian casualties in both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks by the warring parties." The report focuses on Khartoum and the Darfur region in the west of the country, and is based on telephone interviews with 181 people in eastern Chad. "Civilians throughout Sudan are suffering unimaginable horror every single day as the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces vie recklessly for control of territory," said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General. READ: Sudan: meeting in […]]]> 657849 Brazil president supports accession of Saudi Arabia, UAE to BRICS https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-brazil-president-supports-accession-of-saudi-arabia-uae-to-brics/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:41:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657845 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva participates in the opening of the 26th Meeting of the Sao Paulo Forum in Brasilia, Brazil, 29 June 2023 [Mateus Bonomi - Anadolu Agency]Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has expressed his support for more countries joining the BRICS group. Lula said in the capital, Brasilia, yesterday that he supports countries such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining the group. BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is due to hold a summit in Johannesburg from 22-24 August. He also described the seven leading industrialised countries as a "club" that should not exist, considering that its form in terms of geopolitical affairs is outdated. The UK, US, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany make up the group of Western industrialised countries, known as the G7. Some 22 countries have "formally" asked to join the BRICS group, while […]]]> 657845 Egypt court lifts order to seize funds of 146 Muslim Brotherhood members https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-egypt-court-lifts-order-to-seize-funds-of-146-muslim-brotherhood-members/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:35:00 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657842 The Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo on 25 February 2015 [KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images]The Cairo Court for Urgent Matters has ordered the removal of seizure of funds orders issued against 146 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, the Mada Masr news site reported. The site quoted lawyers Khaled Ali and Ahmed Abu El-Ela as saying that the court's ruling, which is the first of its kind since 2013, came at the request of the judicial Inventory, Seizure and Management Committee of Muslim Brotherhood Funds, citing the negation of the reasons that instigated the reservations. A judicial source close to the committee confirmed to Mada Masr that the ruling was preceded by security recommendations to start resolving the group's property file. A source close to the group said none of the 146 people are from the group's first […]]]> 657842 Egypt: students attempt suicide over concerns about exam results  https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-egypt-students-attempt-suicide-over-concerns-about-exam-results/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:20:57 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657836 High school students try to cram in last minute revision before sitting the end of year of examsA number of Egyptian high school students have attempted to commit suicide over the past week due to concerns about their exam results, according to a report yesterday by The National. Egypt's secondary school examinations, Thanaweya Amma, are notorious for the immense pressure that they place on students. The exams, which take place during the final year of high school, carry significant weight as they play a pivotal role in determining which university students can attend and their subsequent career paths. The report noted that on Monday, an 18-year-old pupil in Cairo's Nasr City district was admitted to hospital following a failed attempt on her own life. She had apparently not yet received her results but was under a lot […]]]> 657836 President Saied says Tunisia facing 'terrorist plot' aimed at starving people https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-president-saied-says-tunisia-facing-terrorist-plot-aimed-at-starving-people/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 10:35:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657821 Tunisian President Kais Saied in Djerba Island, Tunusia on November 19, 2022. [Mohamed Mdalla - Anadolu Agency]Tunisia is facing a "terrorist" plot that seeks to "starve the people", President Kais Saied said yesterday. This came during the appointment ceremony of Prime Minister Ahmed Al-Hachani in Tunis, according to a video shared by the presidency on Facebook. "Of the most important challenges is confronting another type of terrorism that seeks to starve the people," Saied told the newly appointed premier, adding that "there is no room for tolerance with these people at all, and they must be held accountable." "Those who manipulate the people's livelihood and security inside Tunisia will pay a heavy price according to the law under a fair trial. What citizens everywhere are experiencing is an attempt to fuel social conditions by arranging behind- the- scenes […]]]> 657821 Poll: More than 70% of Moroccans want to emigrate https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-poll-more-than-70-of-moroccans-want-to-emigrate/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:09:07 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657763 People outside terminal building, Aeroporto Essaouira Mogador, Morocco, north Africa [Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images]Some 71 per cent of Moroccans are willing to emigrate to advance their careers, a new poll has found. Conducted by Bayt, the largest job recruitment website in the Middle East, in cooperation with YouGov, the poll also revealed that 71 per cent of employees are willing to move to another field or sector if this would enable them to emigrate, while 49 per cent wanted to work in higher positions. A previous poll, held in December 2021, showed that 70 per cent of Moroccans were considering emigrating. According to the study prepared by the National Observatory of Human Development (ONDH), seven out of ten young Moroccans were tempted to emigrate abroad, and 83 per cent were not satisfied with their lives. […]]]> 657763 Will Egypt's coup leader escape scrutiny in South Africa? https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-will-egypts-coup-leader-escape-scrutiny-in-south-africa/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:09:42 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657515 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (3rd R) assumes gavel for a year-long African Union (AU) presidency from the outgoing Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi (5th L) during the 33rd African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 09, 2020 [Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images]Has South Africa overlooked Egypt's problematic participation at the forthcoming BRICS summit? Dignifying its military leader Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the expected red-carpet treatment will in effect be an endorsement of regime change via military coup, which is how Cairo's despot overthrew the democratically elected Morsi government to gain power. This month marks a decade since Al-Sisi appeared on TV in a military beret to announce the constitution's suspension and the end of Morsi's presidency. RSF (Reporters Without Borders) documents that as he spoke, security forces were preparing to storm the Cairo bureaus of the Qatari TV channels Al-Jazeera and Al-Jazeera Mubasher and arrest their journalists. That same evening, Al-Sisi's military goons led a purge against many more media outlets and shut them down for allegedly supporting Mohamed Morsi's party, […]]]> 657515 UN: Hunger, displacement 'spiralling out of control' in Sudan amid ongoing violence https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-un-hunger-displacement-spiralling-out-of-control-in-sudan-amid-ongoing-violence/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:42:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657543 The UN warned that hunger and displacement in Sudan are "spiralling out of control" amid ongoing fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, Anadolu Agency reports. More than 6 million people in Sudan, about 13 per cent of the population, are now one step from famine, according to the UN aid agency, OCHA. Over 20 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity due to the conflict, economic decline and mass displacement, OCHA said in a statement. The war-torn nation has been ravaged again by fighting two decades after a conflict broke out. The recent fighting since April has killed 3,000 civilians and injured thousands, according to local medics. Several cease-fire agreements brokered […]]]> 657543 Egypt to establish underwater military museum in Red Sea  https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-egypt-to-establish-underwater-military-museum-in-red-sea/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:44:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657504 Egypt's Red Sea Governorate has announced plans to establish the country's first underwater military museum, reported local media outlets. The announcement was made during a meeting on Monday held by Secretary-General of the Red Sea Governorate, Major General Mohamed El-Bandary, on behalf of the Governor of the Red Sea, Major General Amr Hanafi. According to Egypt Independent, the project aims to establish the first museum of its kind in Egypt and Africa to combine three alternative diving sites in Hurghada, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Red Sea Reserves and civil society organisations. The project will see the sinking of 15 pieces of military equipment in the Red Sea's waters "each of which has a unique story and special […]]]> 657504 Somalia outraged at sending of 'untrained' woman athlete to major sporting event in China https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-somalia-outraged-at-sending-of-untrained-woman-athlete-to-major-sporting-event-in-china/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:46:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657389 Nasra Abukar Ali (C) at the 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China [CCTV]Somali netizens in the country and abroad have criticised national sports authorities for nepotism and corruption in the selection process for sending woman athlete, Nasra Abukar Ali, to the ongoing 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China, where she finished last in the 100-meter race, Anadolu Agency reports. Though no new records were set in the sports event, a video of a 20-year-old Somali sportswoman finishing the 100-meter race in 21 seconds went viral on social media, with netizens dubbing her the "worst athlete" in the game. Some Somalis took to social media to criticise the Ministry of Youth and Sports for sending an "untrained" athlete to a high-profile event. READ: Putin says Russia will provide free grain to […]]]> 657389 Algeria warns against foreign military intervention in Niger https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-algeria-warns-against-foreign-military-intervention-in-niger/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:20:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657232 Smoke rises after coup supporters set fire to the headquarters of President Mohamed Bazoum's party, the Party for Democracy and Socialism in Niger (PNDS-TARAYA) in Niamey, Niger on July 27, 2023 [Balima Boureima/Anadolu Agency]The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday warned against resorting to foreign military intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger, where a coup has plunged the country into a crisis. "Algeria cautions, calls for prudence and restraint in the face of aspirations of foreign military intervention, which unfortunately appear to be real and feasible options, while being factors that only complicate and exacerbate the current crisis," the ministry said in a statement. "Algeria reaffirms its deep sense of urgency for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger and for respect for the requirements of the rule-of-law. In this regard, the Algerian government reaffirms its support for Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate president of the Republic of the Niger," the ministry […]]]> 657232 Tunisia president sacks PM Bouden, appoints Ahmed Hachani https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-tunisia-president-sacks-pm-bouden-appoints-ahmed-hachani/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 10:20:40 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657213 Tunisian President Kais Saied (L) with Ahmed Hachani (R) at Carthage Palace, in Tunis, Tunisia on August 02, 2023 [Presidency of Tunisia/Anadolu Agency]Tunisian President Kais Saied last night sacked Prime Minister Najla Bouden and appointed a former official in the Central Bank, Ahmed Hachani, as her successor. No reason was given for Saied's decision, but local media highlighted Saied's dissatisfaction with shortages in commodities in local markets, particularly the lack of bread in state-subsidised bakeries. According to a video clip and a statement released by the presidency, Saied decided to "end the duties of Ms. Najla Bouden Ramadan," who was the first woman to lead a government in Tunisia. Hachani worked for the Central Bank of Tunisia and studied at the Faculty of Law at Tunis University, where Saied taught, according to a post by the new prime minister on his Facebook page. The new prime […]]]> 657213 Minister: Turkiye, Egypt to raise trade exchange to $15bn https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-minister-turkiye-egypt-to-raise-trade-exchange-to-15bn/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:49:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657181 Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat in Istanbul, Turkiye on July 12, 2023 [Cem Tekkeşinoğlu/Anadolu Agency]Turkiye and Egypt have agreed to boost bilateral trade from $10 billion to $15 billion over the next five years, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said yesterday. This came after a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Samir Saleh, and the accompanying delegation in Ankara. Speaking to reporters after the closed meeting, Bolat said there is great potential for cooperation between the two countries, noting that Egypt is Turkiye's leading trading partner in Africa. Bolat explained that the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries entered into force in 2007 with bilateral trade volumes of $1.6 billion and reached $10 billion after 15 years. READ: Elevation of Turkiye-Egypt diplomatic ties wins Arab plaudits Bolat said the FTA Joint Committee will meet […]]]> 657181 Sudan: meeting in Cairo to discuss end to fighting https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-sudan-meeting-in-cairo-to-discuss-end-to-fighting/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:37:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657166 Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki gives a speech in Beirut, Lebanon on November 08, 2021 [Lebanese Presidency - Anadolu Agency]Sudanese political forces met in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss the formation of a "civilian front" to stop the fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. Representatives of the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, which is the former ruling coalition, met the Arab League's Assistant Secretary, Hossam Zaki, at the League's headquarters in Cairo. They also held a separate meeting in Cairo with the US ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey. The Sudanese group said afterwards that its delegation met Zaki in the context of mobilising and coordinating international and regional efforts to end the war in Sudan. The group added that the meeting covered developments in Sudan and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. The meeting […]]]> 657166 Natural gas exports to Egypt, Europe cause tensions in Israel  https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-natural-gas-exports-to-egypt-europe-cause-tensions-in-israel/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:25:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657163 Israeli Minister of Intelligence Yisrael Katz on September 12, 2018 [THOMAS COEX/POOL/AFP via Getty Images]Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Yisrael Katz sent a scathing letter to the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, criticising the latter's failure to promote natural gas exports to Egypt and Europe, Sama news agency reported citing Israeli media reports. Within the next two weeks, Energy Minister Katz is expected to approve an increase in gas exports to Europe, Egypt and Jordan. Finance Ministry officials have no authority in this matter, and it is appropriate that they deal with the areas they are responsible for, Katz wrote. A source at the Ministry of Finance said that without a new policy and without a professional committee to discuss the issue of increasing natural gas exports and its repercussions on the economy, the economy may be damaged. […]]]> 657163 Russia says it has evacuated embassy personnel from Sudan https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-russia-says-it-has-evacuated-embassy-personnel-from-sudan/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:05:28 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657153 Smoke rises as the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue in Khartoum, Sudan on June 09, 2023 [Stringer/Anadolu Agency ]Russia, on Tuesday, said it has evacuated personnel of its embassy in Sudan, as clashes between army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group continue, Anadolu Agency reports. "Due to high security risks in the context of ongoing clashes in Sudan, some employees of the Russian Embassy transferred from Khartoum, as well as Russian citizens and family members who applied for assistance in returning to their homeland, were evacuated from Port Sudan," said a Foreign Ministry statement. It added that the evacuated personnel arrived at the Chkalovsky Air Base near the capital, Moscow, on a special flight on Tuesday. "The work of the Russian Consulate in Port Sudan continues as usual," the press release said. Sudan's army and RSF […]]]> 657153