Egypt: Electricity supplies cut to mosques

Separate, but linked to the question of energy subsidies, is the question of energy supplies. The gap between supply and demand for gas is growing rapidly, and the authorities have taken steps.

Limits have been set for the use of electricity at mosques. The religious endowments minister has ordered mosques not to run air conditioners before 15 May and after that date to use air conditioning only during prayer time and half an hour before and after the call to prayer.

Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa was reported by the state-run Al-Ahram as saying that he would also ensure that electricity meters were installed at mosques that do not have them.

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.
© 2014 Menas Associates

Growing concerns in Ghana about a regional security rebound

The escalation of the bombing campaign by the Nigeria-based Boko Haram militia with attacks on Abuja and threats against mass population centres is ringing alarm bells in Ghana, Nigeria's closest regional ally. On several occasions, President John Mahama has warned about such regional threats after being briefed by the national intelligence service.

The other big threat pinpointed by Accra-based security analysts is insecurity in neighbouring Burkina Faso where incumbent President Blaise Compaoré looks determined to retain power at all costs. He is currently financing a bogus movement calling for a change to the constitution to allow him to stand for yet another term after holding power for almost 30 years. Three years ago, Compaoré narrowly escaped being overthrown by an army mutiny. This time, he may not be so fortunate.

For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana Politics & Security.
© 2014 Menas Associates

Yemen: Redeveloping Aden

The head of the Aden refinery has said that it is upgrading facilities, building a new power station and enhancing storage capacity as part of a long-term development plan. It is a key demand of southerners that more is invested in ,the port, which has suffered continual decline since its heyday in the mid 1960s.

Despite its great advantages as a port, Aden has fallen so far below the performance of regional competitors that it will be difficult to catch up, except in the very long term – and that requires political stability and massive investment. The opening of the new Omani port of Duqm adds to the now intense competition among regional ports as dropping off points for the very large container ships.

For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.

© 2014 Menas Associates

Libya: Notorious Islamist militant is killed in Derna

Ali Bin Tahar, also known as Al-Faar, and was one of the most feared Islamist militants operating in Derna, was killed this week.  Tahar was shot, reportedly receiving seven bullets to the body. He was also reportedly attacked with knives in an assault carried out in front of his brother.

Tahar was a notorious figure in Derna. He had led armed attacks on a Derna polling station during the elections for the constitution committee. He was also one of the leaders of the new militant group that announced itself in Derna last week. As Libya Politics & Security – 07.04.14 reported, a group calling itself the Majlis Shura  Shabab Al-Islam fi Derna (the Shura Council of the Youth of Islam in  Derna) announced its existence by staging a military parade in the  town and posting footage of it on the internet. This parade comprised at least 26 military vehicles and more than 120 armed elements.

It is unknown who was behind Tahar’s death. Some have speculated that he was killed by some of his fellow militants as a result of differences over money. Others are claiming that his killing might have been an act of revenge for the many executions and assassinations he has been responsible for. Either way, Tahar’s death prompted jubilation among ordinary residents in Derna who could not believe that he had actually gone.

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.
© 2014 Menas Associates

Ghana takes robust line against Nigeria on trade

As the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) chairman, Ghana’s President John Mahama is prioritising the implementation of the regional group's Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). But he accused Nigeria of foot-dragging and said that Nigerian protectionism was damaging efforts the complete the deal.

Boosting regional trade would be a boon to exporters, and even importers could realise significant savings. Mahama pointed to Nigeria's salt imports: it buys one million tonnes a year of Brazilian salt while nearby Ghana struggles to upgrade its salt sector.

“Nigeria has nothing to fear from Ghana in terms of competition," said Mahama. "Nigeria has nothing to fear from Côte d'Ivoire in terms of competition. Nigeria has nothing to fear from Benin or Togo or Niger.”

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

© 2014 Menas Associates

Sahara: Chinese fined for environmental violation

Following a recent strike by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) workers, the Chad government announced on 21 March the imposition of a US$1.2 billion fine against the Chinese oil company for repeated environmental damage.

In a tough call, Environment Minister Mahamat Issa Halikimi said, ‘As a result of non-compliance with its obligations and repeated violations of environmental standards … the government requires CNPC International to repair the damage and pay a fine of US$1.2 billion.'

This is a remarkable, and some might say welcome turnaround by a government that, only a decade or so ago, was complicit in allowing appallingly sloppy environmental practices at the Doba oil fields, not to mention dangerous environmental safety shortcuts made for financial reasons in the construction of the Chad–Cameroon pipeline.

For more news and expert analysis about the Sahara region, please see Sahara Focus.
© 2014 Menas Associates

Algeria: Violence greets Bouteflika's campaign in Bejaïa

The most violent demonstration against President Abdelazi Bouteflika’s campaign was probably that of Saturday 5 April in Bejaïa in the mainly Berber Kabylie region. Protesters stormed and broke up the Bouteflika campaign rally being addressed by Abdelmalek Sellal. They took over the platform, set fire to Bouteflika’s portraits and burnt down much of the venue; attacked a television crew covering the event, injuring four of them, and stoned the Bouteflika cavalcade as it left town.

Three days later, hundreds of students staged a more peaceful protest against Bouteflika in Bejaïa, marching from Bejaïa University campus to the local government headquarters, calling for a boycott of the presidential election on 17 April and urging citizens to mobilise for “peaceful change".

Sellal abandoned the Bejaïa rally and, perhaps unwisely, moved on the next day to the Berber capital of Tizi Ouzou where he and his entourage were greeted with similar animosity. Dozens of students tried to demonstrate ahead of the rally chanting "Free and democratic Algeria!" and "Boutef, pull out!", before the police moved in and arrested about 20 of them. 

For more news and expert analysis about Algeria, please see Algeria Focus and Algeria Politics & Security.

© 2014 Menas Associates