Magharebia

The US Agency for International Development was recognised by King Mohammed VI at a recent agricultural trade show for its contributions to the country's agricultural development.

Leaders from political parties from across the Maghreb attended a celebration Sunday to honour the 1958 summit that first proposed the idea of an Arab Maghreb Union. Despite some tension over Western Sahara, the delegations spoke favourably of further progress towards regional unity.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed new business partnerships and promoted the Mediterranean Union plan during his visit this week to Tunisia, but did not address human rights issues with President Ben Ali's government.

Some Algerian Premier League teams are still fighting to avoid relegation and the intense competition at the end of the season has pushed many loyal fans to the breaking point.

If Morocco's small farmers can be persuaded to shift away from grains and cultivate more productive crops, government planners foresee great financial rewards and thousands of new jobs. A broad new agricultural strategy proposes financial assistance and support structures to see the goal realised within the next ten years.

In a written statement last week to the UN Security Council, UN Special Envoy to Western Sahara Peter van Walsum said the independence of the disputed territory is no longer realistic within the current negotiations.

Negotiations are under way for Mokhtar Belmokhtar, Sahara-region leader for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, to surrender to Algerian authorities.

Experts blamed non-compliance with safety regulations for a tragic fire Saturday in a mattress factory. Fifty-six people, unable to escape the building, perished in the blaze.

Interest in Sufism has intensified in recent years as people seek an alternative to extremism. This week's festival in Fes is drawing young people who are interested in learning what Sufi culture and music are all about.

Algerian analysts say al-Qaeda number-two Ayman al-Zawahiri's second set of answers to questions about the terror group's activities in Algeria are far from reality. Algerians are skeptical of his attempt to characterise terrorists in Algeria as resistance groups fighting colonisation.

Rural development groups from across the Maghreb agreed this month in Tunisia that the best way to see their goals realised is to join forces and create a new network.

The Tunisian government has yielded the floor to the country's youth to express their desires and criticisms, opening regional forums and a national website to receive and record their wishes. While some hope this is a step towards change, many Tunisians fear little will come of the programme.

Moroccan drivers who find their cars immobilised by wheel clamps often clash with the private parking company agents who put them there. With a court decision last week and a bill on the use of wheel clamps now before parliament, the long impasse over the legality of "clamping" may finally be coming to an end.

The debate in Morocco over minimum wages and cost-of-living adjustments continues without resolution, following the Monday announcement by union representatives that they rejected the government's latest offer. The two sides plan to meet again before Labour Day.

Tunisia's renowned International Rally will begin tomorrow in France as scheduled. Racers and journalists have been undeterred by extremists' threats.

At a recent conference in Tunis, Arab representatives discussed enhancing control measures along borders to fight clandestine immigration, as well as the possibility of a unified business visa for Arab travellers.

According to a study released by the Ministry for Social Development, Family and Solidarity, the image of women conveyed by the media in Morocco is biased.

Algeria's National Education Ministry is preparing an "anti-cheating" plan for the baccalaureate examination, leaving teachers, parents and pupils to question the implications.

Banks and credit institutions increased loans by double digits over the last year, as low and middle-income Moroccans used easy credit procedures to borrow money for homes, cars and other purchases.

The battle for the Tunisian league title goes on. League leader ESS posted another win, but number two Club Africain is still hot on their heels ahead of their Sunday meeting.

Newly-unionised Tunisian journalists celebrated the release last week of a reporters' training manual which had been banned for two years.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb's shift towards suicide operations in the region have provoked criticism from many sources, but perhaps most significant is the rift it has revealed between the armed group and radical religious leaders, many of whom have refused to justify the violent strategy.

The 13th Arab Creative Women's Festival, which focused on women and research in social sciences, concluded April 12th in the Tunisian city of Sousse.

As part of an ongoing social dialogue, Moroccan officials met with employers this week to find remedies for workers' financial woes.

Tunisia hosted a four-day seminar last week on the link between religion and violence. The experts in attendance agreed that enhanced dialogue, co-operation and education are the keys to reducing the prevalence of religiously-motivated violence.

With real estate prices on the rise, the Tunisian government is taking steps to keep housing affordable for young and low-income buyers.

Algerian MPs are discussing a draft bill which would update 40-year-old laws regulating foreigners. Proponents say the measure would facilitate foreigners' legal entry and circulation while also helping to combat trafficking and terrorism, but questions are being raised about detention facility plans included in the proposed legislation.

Parliamentarians are calling for finance law revisions to alleviate the pressure on citizens caused by higher oil and food costs. Some Moroccan citizens, however, remain sceptical about whether discussions on the socio-economic situation can achieve any results.

Film buffs, actors and directors turned out in large numbers for a Tunisian documentary film festival earlier this month. The director of the "Voices of Sight" event in Tunis said the more "audacious" content of this year's edition allowed organisers to better connect with young people.

The first anniversary of the fatal April 11th bombings in Algiers passed without a repeat of the violence. The Algerian government has worked hard to improve the security situation in the capital and elsewhere, and the efforts appear to be having the desired effect.

Finance and trade officials from 18 countries attended the first African Emerging Markets Forum in Rabat from April 7th-9th. Guests discussed the development experience of various nations, as well as opportunities for further regional co-operation.

As food costs in Algeria spiral upwards despite government subsidies, citizens are feeling the strain. Officials say speculators are undermining efforts to stabilise the market, but some Algerians wonder why record oil revenues are not being used to offset high food prices.

The latest round of negotiations between trade unions and the Moroccan government failed to yield a comprehensive solution. The talks will continue in the coming weeks, in hopes the two sides will agree on increases in wages and benefits for Moroccan workers.

On April 11th, 2007, young bride Nacira Djemli became a widow when her husband was killed in the Algiers bombing. Within days, she lost the twin babies she was expecting. One year later, she talks with Magharebia about what happens when dreams are destroyed by terrorists.

In an effort to cut costs and expand the volume of trade between the two countries, Tunisia and Morocco launched a new direct maritime trade route last week between the ports of Radès and Casablanca.

The central prison in Kenitra was the scene of a breakout by nine prisoners jailed for their role in the Casablanca terror bombings. An army of security officers has descended on the area to search houses, streets and villages, with checkpoints springing up in many other parts of Morocco.

A city-wide party in Fez last Saturday drew thousands of Moroccans eager to celebrate twelve centuries of history. Hundreds of musical performers and a visual extravaganza showcased Morocco's cultural diversity.

Nearly a year after the tragic bombings in Algiers on April 11th, 2007, national security strategy has evolved considerably to face the changing threat of terrorism. New tactics employed by the authorities have achieved positive results, but much more effort will be required to put an end to the scourge of terrorism once and for all.

A new stimulus plan for the handicrafts sector announced by the Moroccan government last week will help small traders with financing, training and selling their products to new international markets.

At a recent conference in Tunis, experts discussed the state of the Agadir Agreement, which provides for the creation of a free-trade area between Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. Opinions were varied on the progress towards implementation, but most agreed the inclusion of civil society and business organisations is essential to success.

Tunisians weigh in on recent statements by al-Qaeda deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, justifying the killing of innocent Muslims in the course of the group's terrorist operations.

Remarks made by al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri in a recent audiotape have elicited fierce reactions from Algerians, who were told the people killed in al-Qaeda's December 11th bombings in Algiers were not innocent victims.

More than 500 French and south Mediterranean companies were in Tunis this week for a multi-sector business convention. The extensive participation of Maghreb firms was seen as an indicator of improved economic co-operation.

As part of an emergency programme to fight terrorism, women’s NGOs organised a symposium in Casablanca to help differentiate between benign religious movements and Islamist terror groups.

International experts met Wednesday in Algiers to discuss the growing threat of terrorism in North Africa. Finding a link between terror activity in North African and Coast states and increased smuggling and drug trafficking, participants said that an integrated legislative framework is needed.

Twelve centuries after Morocco's "cultural capital" was founded, the whole country is celebrating Fez. A musical extravaganza this weekend and activities throughout the kingdom are aimed at helping young people become proud of their country's history.

Tunisia journalists are turning towards the cyber world for more freedom of expression, but they lack union credentials or representation.

The discovery of poppy plantations in a south-western Algerian province has officials responsible for fighting drug trafficking concerned.

Following the internet release last week of an inflammatory short film linking the Qur’an and terrorism, Algerians are voicing concerns over what they see as the latest attack on their faith.

Fans of Tunisian and Maghreb music were treated to performances by some of the region's greats on Sunday, during the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Festival of Tunisian Music. The five-day event offered youngsters a look at the traditional roots of Tunisian song.

Moroccan officials announced last week that work is in progress on a draft bill outlawing domestic violence. The ministries of Social Development, Education and Islamic Affairs will also partner on a campaign aimed at fostering a culture of gender equality.