Tunisia: deadly repression escalates

The Tunisian government says 14 were killed in unrest over the weekend in the western towns of Kasserine, Regueb and Thala, while opposition leaders put the figure at 25.

Food riots in Algeria; unrest spreads to Tunisia

Rising food prices led to an outbreak of riots in Algeria, with unrest continuing today in several cities. Youth also clashed with police in towns around neighboring Tunisia.

Morocco claims bust of AQIM-linked terrorist cell

Moroccan security services broke up a 27-member terrorist network, authorities announced, saying the cell aimed to set up an al-Qaeda base in the kingdom.

International protests follow Western Sahara repression

Thousands demonstrated in Madrid against Morocco’s recent crackdown on protesters in the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara, which has left several dead.

Sahel states respond to AQIM threat

The governments of Mauritania and Mali pledge a hard line against al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)—while acknowledging that a visible role for Western powers could win the group sympathy.

Protests turn deadly in Western Sahara

A 14-year-old boy was killed when Moroccan security forces intervened in a protest encampment established by indigenous Sahrawi residents outside Laayoune, capital of occupied Western Sahara.

Al-Qaeda insurgents attack French uranium intersts in Niger?

French uranium interests have recalled their personnel from mines in northern Niger after employees were abducted, allegedly by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Western Sahara: Polisario security chief broaches autonomy; repression continues

A Polisario Front official broached autonomy rather than independence for Morocco-occupied Western Sahara—even as new repression mounts against a general strike in the territory.

Moroccan protesters block border with Spanish enclave

Moroccan protesters blockaded the border with the Spanish enclave of Melilla, effectively shutting it down. Morocco accuses Spanish police of abusing its citizens and African migrants in the territory.

Polisario Front charges UN with betrayal on Western Sahara human rights

Western Sahara’s Polisario Front condemned a Security Council resolution extending the UN mission mandate for the Morocco-occupied territory, but imposing no mechanism to monitor rights.

Morocco “violently” repressed protests in Western Sahara: activist

Moroccan authorities “violently” put down peaceful protests in Western Sahara earlier this week, and blocked ambulances trying to take away the injured, activist Aminatou Haidar charges.

Mauritania’s Constitutional Council rejects elements of anti-terrorism law

In a surprise move, Mauritania’s Constitutional Council rejected 10 articles of a new anti-terrorism law that allowed warrantless surveillance and indefinite detention.