CIVIL - MILITARY FUSION CEN TRE Mediterranean Review Comprehensive Information on Complex Crises 15 November 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE This document provides an overview of developments in the Mediterranean Basin and other regions of interest from 08 — 14 November 2011, with hyperlinks to source material highlighted and under- Economic Development Governance & Rule of Law lined in the text. For more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to the region, please Humanitarian Affairs contact the members of the Med Basin Team, or visit our website at www.cimicweb.org. Security Socio-cultural Development Economic Development Angelia Sanders ► [email protected]

Banking exploration efforts, though there is reluctance ABOUT THE CFC ccording to Reuters, financial among international oil companies to buy into regulator Swiss Financial Market Algerian oil permits. According to The Civil-Military Fusion Centre (CFC) is an information and A Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is Magharebia, Sonatrach will launch operations knowledge management auditing the banking sector in Switzerland in in the Taoudeni basin in northern Mali by mid organisation focused on improving response to calls to freeze the assets of ousted -2012. Sonatrach has had agreements to civil-military interaction, facilitating former North African leaders. As of May explore for oil in the region since 2007 but information sharing and enhancing 2011, banks have frozen USD 925 million in insecurity prevented much progress. situational awareness through the Egyptian, Libyan and Tunisian assets. The CimicWeb portal and our weekly investigation shows assets reached Egypt and monthly publications. Switzerland directly from Tunisia, Egypt and The common practice of burning of about 4

CFC products are based upon and Libya and indirectly via France, Britain, the million tonnes of rice straw each season by link to open-source information United States and Italy. Britain is awaiting a Egyptian farmers clearing land produces a from a wide variety of organisations, court ruling regarding the return of USD 65 “black cloud” of thick smog that covers Cairo research centres and media sources. million in frozen assets to Egypt, reports and the Nile Valley, reports Reuters. There are However, the CFC does not endorse Bikyamasr. now projects in Egypt underway to convert the and cannot necessarily guarantee rice straw into materials that can be sold the accuracy or objectivity of these Tourism internationally, such as pulp and fertiliser. sources. Countries in North Africa and the Middle East Daily News Egypt reports that the European CFC publications are are working to revive the tourism industry, Commission approved a EUR 22 million independently produced by reports BBC. The conflicts in the region program to support the development of Knowledge Managers and do earlier this year and the continuation of agricultural small and medium enterprises not reflect NATO policies or government protests in some countries caused (SMEs) in an effort to improve living positions of any other tourism numbers to decrease in 2011. conditions of those living in rural Egyptian organisation. However at the World Travel Market districts. exhibition held in London, heads of tourism The CFC is part of NATO Allied from the region “are confident” that tourism Libya Command Operations. will return to normal in 2012. In Tunisia, The Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) tourism accounts for USD 2.5 billion of the released detailed figures on its investments in

country’s GDP. Media Line reports that efforts to be transparent, reports Reuters. tourism accounts for 15% of Egypt’s GDP. Libya’s sovereign wealth fund, managed by The Egyptian government expects tourism the LIA, was created in 2006 to manage revenue to fall from USD 12.5 billion to USD Libya’s oil revenues and there is speculation CONTACT THE CFC 10 billion in 2011. that the fund will sell off its assets in parts of Africa to help finance Libya’s reconstruction. For further information, contact: Algeria The International Energy Agency (IEA) stated Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach reported that Libyan oil production is progressing faster Med Basin Team Lead Linda Lavender that reserves of oil and natural gas were than anticipated but it was unlikely to reach [email protected] discovered at an exploratory well in the pre-conflict output levels before 2013. This is

Rhourde Yacoub field, reports Reuters. Until in contrast to official Libyan estimates which The Mediterranean Team now, Algeria had announced no major oil and suggest oil output levels could be fully [email protected] gas finds in 2011. In response to the news, restored by June 2012. According to Jordan energy officials plan on accelerating News Agency Petra, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby will hold talks with the National young people who were unable to finish school. Transitional Council (NTC) on how the Arab League can help Tunisia in Libya’s reconstruction efforts. Director General of CETTEX Samir Haouat emphasized in an interview with African Manager that the promotion of Mauritania Tunisia’s textile and clothing sector relies on the establishment Mauritania has received a EUR 1 million grant from France for of social stability. Clothing and fabrics are one of Tunisia’s improving economic and financial governance, reports the Pan main exports and the textile industry is one of the first African News Agency (PANA). Magharebia reports that the industries in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and job Mauritanian government launched a project aimed at reducing creation. Tunisia’s National Statistics Institute (INS) youth unemployment. The programme, funded by the announced on 09 November that Tunisia’s unemployment rate European Union (EU), will provide apprenticeships to 600 rose to 18.3% with job losses concentrated mostly in the

Governance & Rule of Law Melodee M. Baines ► [email protected]

he Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) participated in the first post-Arab Spring Egypt T inter-ministerial meeting for the Union for the Protesters calling for the release of blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah Mediterranean (UfM) from 09 to 10 November, according to are also demanding the release of all detainees tried by military ENPI Info Centre. The agenda included creation of an Urban courts based on claims that civilians should be tried in civilian Development Agency for the Mediterranean. venues, according to al Masry al Youm. Activists are calling the judicial system of Egypt’s ruling military authority, the Government ministers from Sahel countries including Algeria, Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), “harsh and Mauritania, Mali and Niger convened in Washington, DC to unjust”, according to Press TV. discuss Sahel security, reports Magharebia. Security affairs expert Lies Boukraa stated that countries of the Sahel are able Employees of the Library of Alexandria are conducting an to work collectively to combat terrorism and organised crime, open-ended sit-in requesting permanent contracts for according to the article. In addition to global security concerns, temporary workers and the dismissal of Director Ismail the Sahel region faces other obstacles, including extreme Serageldin, who is accused of corruption, according to al poverty and a growing youth population vulnerable to Masry al Youm. recruitment by criminal or terrorist organisations. In addition, Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré visited Algeria and The first phase of Egyptian parliamentary elections is declared that Algeria, Mauritania, Niger and Mali are ready to scheduled for 28 November, reports al Masry al Youm. On 10 confront terrorism through regional co-operation, according to November, Egyptians residing abroad began registering to vote a separate Magharebia article. The four countries co-operate online at the High Election Judicial Commission (HEC) through membership in the joint military command in website, according to a separate article by al Masry al Youm. Tamanrasset, Algeria. In the past, the European Union (EU) The CFC Mediterranean Basin team released a report this also assisted Sahel countries with security and development month on Egypt’s parliamentary elections, titled “Egypt’s strategy. Parliamentary Elections”.

Algeria Islamists are planning a demonstration on 18 November in Fatah Rabiai, head of the Algerian branch of the Islamic response to the draft constitutional principles document, Ennahda Movement, criticised President Abdelaziz according to al Masry al Youm. Islamists were excluded from Bouteflika’s promised reforms, stating that the approach was drafting the document, which lays out certain principles to be incorrect, according to Asharq al Awsat. Rabiai said the first included in new constitution of Egypt (see CFC step should be reforms to the constitution followed by Mediterranean Review 08 November 2011). amendments to legislation regarding the democratic process instead of the reverse. The Islamic Ennahda Movement is one Libya of the primary opposition movements in Algeria, up against Head of the National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustafa the presidential alliance of the National Liberation Front, Abdel Jalil is working to encourage reconciliation among the National Democratic Rally and Islamic Movement for Peace. various factions controlling Tripoli, according to the Washington Post. The official process of disarming militias There is a perception among Libyans that Algeria sided with will not begin until new interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim el Gaddafi during the revolution, according to Reuters. -Keeb forms a cabinet. Siraj al-Badri, an NTC representative, Consequently, the diplomatic relationship between Algeria and “said that security was the government’s absolute priority”. Libya, along with Algeria’s international reputation, has been affected. Niger granted asylum to Saadi Gaddafi, third son of Moammar SUBMIT AN RFI OR RECOMMEND REPORT TOPICS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN TEAM: In order to meet the growing demand for information regarding the dynamic, complex events in Libya specifically and North Africa generally, the CFC has begun publishing special reports on the region in addition to our weekly newsletters. Please send your recommendations for future report topics or requests for information (RFIs) to: [email protected].

Page 2 15 November 2011 Gaddafi, according to the Telegraph. This decision comes in progress in governance for the two countries, according to PR defiance of Interpol’s request to extradite Saadi Gaddafi. Newswire-US Newswire. Moroccan parliamentary elections are Gaddafi’s second son, Seif al Islam, remains at large, scheduled for 25 November. Foreign policy experts at the according to the Tripoli Post. In other extradition news, Atlantic Council predict that the stalemate that characterises Middle East Online reports that Mustafa Abdel Jalil promised relations between Algeria and Morocco regarding the issue of former Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmudi will receive a Western Sahara remains a “major obstacle to cooperation” that fair trial pending his extradition from Tunisia. interferes with regional coordination in confronting security issues. The Hudba el-Gassi compound, formerly a secret detention centre, is now the site of a prison where former Gaddafi Sudan loyalists and others are being held, according to National Rebels in the Darfur region, along with Blue Nile and South Public Radio (NPR). Militia members are detaining people, Kordofan states bordering South Sudan, announced via press and Libyan officials stated that they are uncertain who is being release that they formed a military and political alliance called arrested and by what justification. According to the article, the the Sudanese Revolutionary Front to overthrow the justice system is not prepared to handle these cases quickly. It government of President Omar al-Bashir, according to al is possible that the rate of detentions is increasing based on Jazeera. reports, though Libyan records have not been released, according to the Australian Herald Sun. Tunisia According to Reuters, the moderate Islamist Ennahda party Libyan interim Prime Minister Ali Tarhouni announced that no formed a coalition with two secularist parties after elections in new contracts will be awarded until Libya has an elected October. Pending negotiations, the coalition said it will name a government in office, according to Reuters. government, including president (largely a ceremonial post), in a few days. Morocco Reforms and elections in Morocco and Tunisia indicate

Humanitarian Affairs Angelia Sanders ► [email protected] Egypt association.” he Egyptian Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mohamed Salem, said that Libya T cooperation with Nile Basin countries and African A “Friends of Libya’s Children” charity football match was countries is an important priority for the ministry, reports held in Dubai to raise funds for children in Libya. The match Youm 7. Egypt will provide technical support to Nile Basin was attended by 5,000 spectators, reports Magharebia. In other countries through training, youth empowerment in information news, Times of Malta reports that the European Commission is technology, capacity building and technical cooperation. seeking to hold migration talks with the National Transitional Within Egypt, there are growing security problems at Council (NTC). Additionally, a boat carrying 43 migrants is hospitals, reports al Masry al Youm. Following the revolution, still missing. The migrants were last reported to be in distress there is an absence of an effective police force, which, when 70 miles south of Lampedusa, Italy; however, Italian coupled with high expectations from the citizens, has created a coastguard units have been unable to locate the vessel. volatile climate. According to Reuters, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Human Rights Watch criticised Egypt for failing to properly is close to completing an investigation into the use of rape by investigate the sexual assault of seven women by military Gaddafi forces. The ICC prosecutor said that he may charge prison officers on 10 March 2011. The women were sexually Moammar Gaddafi’s spy chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, and assaulted under the guise of “virginity tests” while they were others of involvement in hundreds of rapes during the conflict being detained in prison. Human Rights Watch has also stated in Libya. Human Rights Watch stated that Libya’s former that military prosecutors failed to investigate documented Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi risks torture if incidents of torture of 20 women (including the seven Tunisian authorities return him to Libya, reports United Press subjected to “virginity” testing) and up to 170 men on 09 International (UPI). Bikyamasr reports that Amnesty March 2011. International is also concerned that the former prime minister’s life will be in danger and appealed to the Tunisian government According to Al Jazeera, Egyptian military prosecutors to forego his extradition. extended the detention of prominent activist and blogger Alaa Abd Fattah by 15 days. The office of the United Nations High Mauritania Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is calling on The World Bank agreed to provide USD 330 million to fund Fattah’s release in addition to others who have been Mauritanian development projects over the next three years, imprisoned for exercising free speech, reports Huffington Post. reports Magharebia. The funds will be divided among food The UN agency expressed “concern about what appears to be a security, job creation for young people, refugee support, diminishing public space for freedom of expression and healthcare and agricultural development assistance for Mauritanian drought recovery. In response to the drought

Page 3 15 November 2011 crisis, the Mauritanian government released a detailed plan to sustain people and livestock in areas most effected.

Security Melodee M. Baines ► [email protected] Terrorism and weapons Arish in the Sinai Peninsula exploded, disrupting the delivery he working group on terrorism, called the Global of fuel to Israel and Jordan, according to UPI. This is the Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), is set to hold its first seventh pipeline blast since the resignation of former President T meeting on 16 and 17 November in Algiers, according Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. A second explosion to Ennahar. The meeting will focus on “better ways to fight occurred at a nearby pumping station, according to Khaleej against terrorism in the Sahel-Saharan region”, the article Times. The explosions were the result of Improvised Explosive reports. Devices (IED) detonated from a distance, according to al Masry al Youm. Al Bawaba reports that an al Qaeda-inspired On 13 November, Algerian Deputy Foreign Minister cell is behind the attacks, and security forces arrested the Abdelkader Messahel said there is evidence that Nigerian leader, Mohammed Eid Muslih Hamad, on 13 November. extremist group Boko Haram is coordinating with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) according to Reuters (see An anonymous assassination threat was delivered by email to Mediterranean Review 18 October 2011). Coordination the April 6 Youth Movement, which is committed to revealing between the two groups could make Boko Haram “a more the names of former National Democratic Party (NDP) potent threat”, the article states. The intelligence is seen as members intending to run for office in post-revolution Egypt, reliable because Algeria’s intelligence-gathering apparatus according to al Masry al Youm. The group’s media coordinator responsible for monitoring AQIM is the largest in the region. in the Upper Egypt town of Minya told al Masry al Youm United Press International (UPI) reports that AQIM are about the email on 10 November. The threat comes after an thought to be training Boko Haram. April 6 coordinator was kidnapped and abused but survived on 08 July 2011. Mokhtar Belmokhtar of AQIM continues to claim that the group has acquired weapons from Libya, according to ABC Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah is being held News (see Mediterranean Review 01 November 2011). at Tora prison, where protesters demonstrating against the However, an official with the US Department of State says that interim ruling body, Supreme Council for the Armed Forces they have been unable to confirm AQIM’s claim but remain (SCAF), avoided clashing with locals by relocating activity concerned about the possibility. According to the Washington away from the facility on 09 November (see ‘Humanitarian Post, Belmokhtar allegedly did not reveal the types or quantity Affairs’ above). of weapons acquired. Reuters reports that Belmokhtar’s claims represent the first time that AQIM has admitted to having Egypt’s Housing, Utilities and Urban Development Ministry’s obtained Libyan weapons. Belmokhtar did not reveal how the Urban Planning Authority identified high priority border areas group obtained the weapons. that will be targeted for strategic development to protect against external threats, according to al Masry al Youm. These Algeria areas include the Sinai Peninsula, the western border with Algeria’s National People’s Army stopped a convoy of 35 Libya, the southwest border, Halaib, Shalatin, Abu Ramad and individuals and seized weapons originating from Libya near Nubia. Ain Ezzen on the border with Niger and Libya, according to Ennahar. The intentions of the persons involved are unclear, Libya and they are being held in Algeria on charges of illegal entry Rivalries and violence in Tripoli between militia groups have and possession of weapons and explosives. led to the deaths of several fighters between 09 and 12 November, according to the Washington Post. The article According to Adnkronos International (AKI), the government reports that the police force in Tripoli is not yet fully of Algeria closed approximately 900 mosques and prayer halls functional, and different groups control neighbourhoods in the in order to prevent secret meetings being held by suspected capital. Islamic terrorists such as AQIM. According to the article, AQIM is “particularly active” in places of worship. On 13 November, a convoy entered Niger from Libya leading to a clash with Niger’s army at the northern mining town of Ennahar reports that from 06 to 07 November the combined Arlit, just south of the Algerian border, al Arabiya reports. forces of the Algerian army clashed with armed terrorists in Nigerien government forces seized weapons and ammunitions the forests between Tademaït and Draa El Mizan, east of Tizi from the convoy. According to RTT News, officials in Niger Ouzou province. has been the site of terrorist allege that the convoy of 10 vehicles was headed toward Mali. activity in the past (see Mediterranean Review 27 September The Tripoli Post reports that the convoy may have contained 2011). The army is pursuing terrorist groups throughout the Libyan nationals and Tuaregs. , including , Oued Aïssi, Iflissen, Tamerkous, Amdjout and . Mauritania According to Magharebia, Mauritanian fighters and Malian Egypt Tuaregs returning from Libya are entering Mali to form armed On 10 November, a natural gas pipeline near the town of el- groups. There are also reports that a new security challenge in Page 4 15 November 2011 the Sahel involves Mauritanians selling or giving up their rebellion in northern Mali arising from fighters returning from weapons in northern Mali and posing as civilians to re-enter Libya, a separate article from Magharebia reports. Mauritania. These fears come amid concerns of a Tuareg

Socio-cultural Development Linda Lavender ► [email protected] uantara, the German Internet portal, credits al Jazeera Libya as serving a vital role in the Arab Spring. According to Reuters reports that the European Union’s (EU) aid mission to Q the article, al Jazeera created a new venue for political Libya supports the protection of women’s rights in Libya. As freedom which culminated in the Arab revolution coverage. the EU takes an active role in the reconstruction of Libya, the EU Foreign Affairs Chief, Catherine Ashton, told an audience Algeria of women in Tripoli, “Discrimination should have no place in Eleven Algerians died while participating in the Hajj this year, a new country.” reports Ennahar Online. Four Algerians died between the cities of Mina and Arafat, while seven others died en route The Libyan conflict propelled women in the traditional society from Medina to Mecca. Additionally, the article reports into new roles, reports Altmuslimah, an American social and instances of theft in the Algerian camps in Mina where money political news magazine. Women express their desire for a and other valuables were taken. state reflecting Islamic principles that welcomes their participation in the building of a new nation. According to the Egypt article, women have a positive role to play in Libya’s future as Daily News Egypt reports hundreds of Islamists protested they pursue a durable peace. outside the French embassy in Cairo after the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo published pictures of the Muslim Morocco prophet Mohammed. The Salafi group that organised the According to Middle East Online, boarding schools established protest is also calling for the boycott of French goods. On 02 by King Mohammed VI are showing success in graduation November, Charlie Hebdo’s offices were destroyed in Paris by rates among girl pupils. Three hundred boarding schools across an alleged firebomb. Jihadist groups are calling for the paper’s remote and impoverished regions of Morocco seek to address license to be revoked. high illiteracy rates among girls. The schools are home to almost 16,700 girls, and thirty more schools are scheduled for Coptic Christians in Egypt are considering a boycott of the construction next year. upcoming parliamentary elections, protesting alleged discrimination and marginalisation, reports Gulfnews. Tunisia According to the article, the new election laws and the Religious minorities in Tunisia are cautiously optimistic that redrawing of electoral districts make it difficult for Coptic the new Islamist-led leadership of the country will respect their candidates to win and secure representation. rights, reports Arab News. According to the article, many religious minority groups have “lost out” in the Arab Spring as According to al Arabiya, a female candidate running within Islamists exploited the power vacuum created in the ousting of the conservative al Nour party is using her husband’s picture dictators. Arab News reports that the Ennahda party has “gone on campaign posters. Al Nour is a conservative, Salafist party. out of its way to reassure the Jewish community” that Al Arabiya reports that a Salafi is a follower of a “puritanical tolerance and the respect for human rights is the way of Islamic movement” called Salafiyyah. Tunisia.

MEDITERRANEAN BASIN NOTICE BOARD

Pilot NATO Cultural Property Protection Course

Who? NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), the International Military Cultural Resources Working Group (IMCURWG) and the Austrian National Defense Academy (NDA)

What? Pilot NATO Cultural Property Protection Course

For whom? Military and non-military personnel involved with Cultural Property Protection activities

When & Where? Deadline to register is 09 November. The event is from 29 November - 02 December 2011, Austrian National Defense Academy, Vienna, Austria

Contact Details: CDR Michael Hallett, e-mail: [email protected], to register submit your name, organizational affiliation and a short description of your interest in the course to Captain Smutek-Narath ([email protected] Austrian National Defense Academy)

If you are a CFC account-holder and would like your notice to appear here, please send all relevant details to [email protected]. The CFC is not obliged to print any notice that it receives, and the CFC retains the right to revise notices for clarity and appropriateness. Any notices submitted for publication in the “Mediterranean Review” newsletter should be relevant to North Africa and to the CFC’s mission as a knowledge management and information sharing institution.

ENGAGE WITH US Civil-Military Fusion Centre (CFC) [email protected] www.cimicweb.org Page 5 15 November 2011