At least 160 migrants attempting to reach Italy have been rescued off the Tunisian coast, the Tunisian navy said. The rescue took place off the coast near Sfax in the south-east. Most of the migrants are Tunisians and children were also among them, the navy said. Last year more than …
Read More »Morocco: prayers for rain in all mosques
Prayers are done this Friday in all mosques in Morocco in the hope of bringing rain to the drought-stricken Maghreb country, the Islamic Affairs Ministry announced. On the orders of King Mohammed VI, “the invocation of God for the request for rain” will take place in all mosques, the ministry …
Read More »Tunisia: President Kais Saied promises new constitution and parliament
Tunisian President Kais Saied has said he will reshape the country’s politics in 2022 with a new constitution and parliament after seizing executive power last year in a move his enemies are calling a coup, Reuters news agency reports. But the threat of national bankruptcy could upset his plans. The …
Read More »Several drowned and missing off the Tunisian coast
At least six people drowned and 30 others missing after their boat capsized off the Tunisian coast, local media reported. According to survivors, 70 migrants had been aboard the boat from a range of countries including Egypt, Sudan and Morocco. A Tunisian defence spokesman said they had set off from …
Read More »Morocco announces the reopening of its airspace
Authorities in Morocco have announced the reopening of the country’s airspace to international passenger flights from next month. The country banned all inbound and outbound international flights in November 2021 to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of covid-19. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced the lifting of the ban …
Read More »US strikes $2 billion arms deal with Egypt amid rights issues
The US State Department has approved the sale of 12 military transport planes to Egypt, in a deal worth more than $2 billion, the BBC reports. Air defence radar systems and other related equipment are also being sold for another $300m. The arms sales come despite recent criticism from the …
Read More »Tunisia: blow for president Kais Saied
Nadia Akacha, the Tunisian president’s chief of staff announced her resignation on Facebook. It is rather a blow for President Kais Saied. She said that she had made the decision over differences of opinion. There has been no official confirmation as yet. Ms Akacha has been one of President Saïed’s …
Read More »Algeria: President Tebboune closes all schools
The Algerian government said in a statement that it has decided to close all schools for 10 days and to tighten control at airports due to the increase in covid-19 cases. The presidency however said that it was up to the universities to determine whether to close or reschedule their …
Read More »Tunisia: opposition accuses police of killing its member during protests
Activists and the main Tunisian opposition party Ennahda have accused the country’s security forces of killing Ridha Bouziane during protests against President Kais Saied. The man died in hospital on Wednesday from injuries inflicted by police. According to the Tunis court investigating the death, the man, found in a coma …
Read More »Egypt: president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi denies backing Sudan coup
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has broken his silence over the military coup in neighbouring Sudan and the ongoing protests calling for civilian rule. Egypt has faced accusations of siding with Sudan’s head of military, Abdel Fattah al Burhan but President Sisi dismissed the claims. “Just because we have not …
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