CIVIL - MILITARY FUSION CEN TRE Mediterranean Review Comprehensive Information on Complex Crises 27 September 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE This document provides an overview of developments in and elsewhere in the Mediterranean Basin from 20 — 26 September 2011, with hyperlinks to source material highlighted and underlined in Diplomacy Security the text. For more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to the region, please contact Development the members of the Med Basin Team, or visit our website at www.cimicweb.org.

ABOUT THE CFC

Diplomacy Kendall Allen ► [email protected] The Civil-Military Fusion Centre (CFC) is an information The National Transitional Council (NTC) demonstrated some progress in achieving internal and knowledge management cohesion and cooperation and gained momentum this week as the expected announcement of organisation focused on the new government draws closer. The international community responded positively to these improving civil-military developments, resulting in significant steps toward normalisation of diplomatic relations. In interaction, facilitating Tunisia, the transitional government took action intended to ensure the fairness of its information sharing and upcoming elections. Egypt continues to struggle with the complications of the Mubarak trial. enhancing situational awareness through the CimicWeb portal Inside Libya: The NTC and the new amidst confident dialogue emerging from the and our weekly and monthly government NTC this week, there is dissenting speculation publications. ollowing the previous setbacks of that the naming may be delayed due to the postponing the move of its headquarters inability to reach an internal consensus. The CFC products are based upon from Benghazi to and facing television station Al-Arabiya announced the and link to open-source F internal political struggles, the NTC clarified NTC would postpone the revealing of the new information from a wide variety some of the details surrounding the formation government until the last of the Gaddafi of organisations, research of the new government. On 21 September, the strongholds has been neutralized, according to centres and media sources. NTC Prime Minister revealed to the United a report. However, NTC spokesman However, the CFC does not Nations General Assembly that he expected Mohammad al-Keish denied these claims and endorse and cannot necessarily the new “government to be announced in the simply said, “The schedule is what it is, it‟s guarantee the accuracy or next week to 10 days maximum”, and that he unchanged.” objectivity of these sources. was not “bothered by the time consumed to

bring about a national consensus.” On 23 The vote of confidence in the NTC this week CFC publications are September, more details became available not only stems from the seemingly imminent independently produced by Knowledge Managers and do concerning the composition of the new announcement of a new government, but also not reflect NATO policies or government. According to NTC spokesman from identifiable domestic progress. positions of any other Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, “We‟ve agreed on a According to a finance official from the organisation. number of [ministerial] portfolios (the office NTC‟s stabilisation team, the Libyan central or post of a minister of state or member of a bank has sufficient funds to support state cabinet) and who would hold the most spending for approximately six months. important ones. There will be 22 portfolios and one vice premier. It would be a compact From an unknown location, Moammar government, a crisis government.” The Gaddafi continues to express his disdain for momentum of progress in the naming of a new the NTC and their campaign against his government was evident in Prime Minister regime. According to the Associated Press, the

Mahmoud Jibril‟s rhetoric at the United Syrian-based station al-Rai released Gaddafi‟s CONTACT THE CFC Nations on 24 September. As reported by message on 21 September. The message was For further information, contact: Reuters, Jibril proclaimed that “a new Libya is written, which varies greatly from the typical coming to life.” The prime minister discussed broadcasted messages allegedly from Gaddafi Med Basin Team Manager his desire for the United Nations to continue in past weeks. Regardless of the medium of Dr. Matthew Hall releasing previously frozen Libyan funds and delivery, the messages are very similar: [email protected] expressed hope that Libya could become a Gaddafi referred to the activities in Libya and migratory point of access to Europe in order to the NTC‟s victory as a “charade.” The Mediterranean Team [email protected] bolster economic growth in the region. Even International Response – Growing legitimacy for the NTC Tunisia – Steps toward electoral progress and Libya Tunisia, still struggling with the challenge to maintain This week, the progress made by the NTC has prompted a transparency and fairness in upcoming elections this fall, variety of responses from the international community. Two implemented two measures to ensure that their goals for the significant political recognitions occurred this week, coming electoral process are met. On 20 September, Magharebia from Algeria and the African Union. Al Arabiya television in reported several political parties of Tunisia signed the Dubai broke the news from Algeria, as the foreign minister Declaration of Transition Process – a document which binds proclaimed the NTC would now be the political parties to a moral commitment recognised by Algeria as the single in aiding Tunisia through its transitional representative of the country‟s government. Moammar Gaddafi continues to period. Iadh Ben Achour, Chief of the International Business Times reported on High Commission for the Realisation of the African Union‟s declaration of political express his disdain for the NTC. Revolutionary Goals, commented that “this recognition on 20 September. Although the initiative is also aimed at reassuring the organisation has traditionally been wary of public opinion and putting an end to overt support to the NTC, the AU announced it was ready to confusions and fears in the Tunisian society about the powers support a smooth governmental transition in Libya. of the Constituent Assembly and its tenure. This is in addition to calming the political atmosphere in the country.” Moreover, In other diplomatic actions, many individual countries have the EU will be directing an election observation mission in the announced that they will reopen their embassies in Libya and country for the October elections. The decision to create the return ambassadors and embassy staff to the region in order to mission stemmed from an invitation from Tunisian authorities expedite the normalisation of relations between the recovering to ensure the validity and legitimacy of the process as a whole country and the international community. At a United Nations and the election itself. meeting on 20 September, US President Barack Obama publicised his plan to return the ambassador and reopen the US Egypt – The Mubarak trial embassy in Tripoli. Other countries which have also pledged to Al Masry al Youm reports that the Mubarak trial has been reopen their embassies in Libya include Britain, France, Iran, adjourned until late October. The decision was announced Germany, and Turkey. after the testimony of Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who is also the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and In continuation of last week‟s United Nations Resolution that the closest figure to a head of state in the country. The article released previously frozen Libyan funds at the international reports that many of the lawyers were not allowed in the court level, the European Union (EU) also eased economic sanctions during the testimony. The lawyers who were allowed in the on the country on 22 September. The official EU statement courtroom announced to the crowd outside that Tantawi‟s detailed that the action was taken based on “humanitarian and statements had been in favour of Mubarak and others from the civilian needs, to support renewed activity in the Libyan oil former regime. Al Masry al Youm indicates that some of the and banking sectors and to assist with building a civilian plaintiff‟s lawyers have requested a new judge to preside over government”. The easing of sanctions will affect internal the trial when it resumes at the end of next month. The media economic institutions such as the Libyan Central Bank, Libyan coverage of this portion of the trial has been controversial due Foreign Bank, Libyan Investment Authority, and Libyan to an Egyptian court-ordered ban on covering Tantawi‟s National Oil Corporation. testimony with punishment ranging from monetary fines to imprisonment.

Security Melodee M. Baines ► [email protected] While Gaddafi remains in hiding, fighting continues in and . NATO extended the mission in Libya, and efforts to recover weapons and combat terrorism continue across North Africa. Reports of foreign fighters being captured in Libya remain unverified.

ATO announced on 21 September that the campaign Meanwhile, Gaddafi‟s whereabouts remain unknown; in Libya, called Operation Unified Protector, will be however, al Jazeera reported that Gaddafi was seen fleeing N extended for three more months until late December Sabha. 2011. On 23 September, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) issued its interim Libya campaign report assessing the On 19 September, pro-Gaddafi officials claimed to have various aspects of the mission from February to September. captured 17 individuals whom they accuse of being RECOMMEND REPORT TOPICS TO THE CFC: MEDITERRANEAN REGION IN TRANSITION

In order to meet the growing demand for information regarding the dynamic, complex events in Libya specifically and North Afri- ca generally, the CFC has begun publishing special reports on the region in addition to our weekly newsletters. To date, our re- ports have covered the Libyan rebels, as well as constitutional reform in North Africa. Please send your recommendations for fu- ture report topics to: [email protected]. We greatly appreciate your input. Page 2 27 September 2011 mercenaries (see CFC Mediterranean Basin Review, 20 Coordination between brigades from across Libya exists, but September 2011). Moussa Ibrahim, spokesman for the Gaddafi there are also concerns that militias could spring up based on regime, has not put the 17 foreign „mercenaries‟ on camera, regional divisions. Military leader Abdel Hakim Belhadj fuelling scepticism about the veracity of the claim that announced his intention to bring weapons back into Tripoli as Gaddafi‟s forces had captured foreign technical experts. a unifying move. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé denies that there were French mercenaries in Libya. The British foreign office was In addition, a European Union mission concluded a week-long unable to verify the report, according to BBC. visit to Mauritania as a part of the Sahel regional initiative to assist in establishing checkpoints and expanding police and In Egypt, recent violence in Sinai has received coverage. On judicial education. The EU mission in the Sahel aims to 21 September there was an assassination attempt made on a support Sahel-Saharan states with good governance, assessing deputy of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, Mohamed the effects of the Libya conflict and the proliferation of Saad. The group responsible escaped after wounding Saad and weapons, according to Magharebia as reported in the Eurasia his driver, both of whom are reported to have survived. In the Review. However, AFP reported that militant groups in sub- same region, Sinai Bedouins blocked the roadway between the Saharan Africa do not have the equipment or expertise to use Red Sea town of Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab (on the Gulf of the weapons. Aqaba) in protest of a land dispute. According to al Masry al Youm, non-Bedouin Egyptians benefit from preferential Egyptian security forces confiscated eight anti-aircraft missiles treatment in terms of land ownership procedures in Egypt. and launchers near the Suez Canal thought to be headed to Gaza Strip. According to al Ahram, the weapons may have Somali pirates said they will release 17 Algerian sailors, (along been smuggled into Egypt through Sudan or Libya. with nine Ukranians), being held since January on 01 October. AQIM and terrorism The Mauritanian authorities announced the launch of a News emerged that Canada had paid ransom to AQIM for the government-run research centre called the Mauritanian release of kidnapping victims 2.5 years ago under “mysterious Institute for Strategic Studies to help improve strategic circumstances”, according to the Globe and Mail. The article decision-making and planning in the country. states that ransom payments have increased AQIM‟s ability to conduct operations. On 23 September, Morocco announced the Pro-Gaddafi holdouts disruption of a three-man AQIM-linked network NTC forces have unified under the Union of called the Al Battar Squadron or The Cutting Revolutionary Battalions, according to RIA Ransom payments have Squadron. Malian officials, according to AFP, Novosti, in a decision reached at a meeting of said AQIM wants to expand into Morocco in field commanders in . On 26 increased AQIM’s ability order to facilitate attacks on Europe. The three September, NATO bombers continued to target suspects intended to train in AQIM camps, Sirte in order to make a path for NTC fighters. to conduct operations. according to Reuters. On 22 September, one of Reports suggest that pro-Gaddafi forces are the nine men being tried for the terrorist attack trying to prevent residents from fleeing Sirte that killed 17 in Marrakech on 28 April recanted (see „Development‟ below). Meanwhile, Gaddafi fighters his confession and denied his involvement. The trial began on attacked Ghadames, an oasis town and UNESCO world 30 June, but was adjourned on 18 August and is set to begin heritage site on the border with Algeria. These pro-Gaddafi again on 22 September. fighters entered Libya from Algeria and are thought to belong to the Khamis brigade formerly under the command of On 21 September, the Tunisian army stopped an armed convoy Gaddafi‟s son Khamis. Fighting continues there, and in Bani of nine vehicles crossing from the Algerian desert near Bir Walid, another Gaddafi stronghold. On 26 September, an Znigra. Al Ahram reported that a diplomatic source said the independent US expert on North African politics, Geoff Porter, convoy likely comprised Algerians and Libyans. A different said Bani Walid is “a back-country redoubt where fighters anonymous regional security source said the attackers were have hidden and held out”, according to Reuters. On 22 armed terrorists from AQIM, though the Tunisian Ministry of September, NTC fighters announced they had taken two of the Defence said the group could also be a band of armed last remaining pro-Gaddafi holdouts, the southern cities Sabha smugglers. The suicide bombers responsible for the attack on and Jufra. US Ambassador to Libya Gene Cretz told the Los the military school in Cherchell, Algeria on 26 August have Angeles Times he did not expect the resistance from pro- been identified. Elsewhere in Algeria, a terrorist attack at Gaddafi forces to be long-term. Ferhat Abbas Airport in Jijel did not result in any casualties, according to Ennahar. In Mechtras, Algeria, two unidentified Weapons men were kidnapped by an unspecified terrorist group. A In the process of taking Sabha and Jufra, NTC fighters claim to spokesman for Boko Haram, officially known as Jama'atu have found chemical weapons. Weapons from Tripoli have Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, said the terrorist been taken from the capital to other sites of fighting organisation was „exported‟ from Mauritania to Nigeria. throughout Libya, according to a statement from Abdelraouf al Algerian security forces killed a member of AQIM near Tizi -Kurdi, a representative of fighters from one district of Tripoli. Ouzou on 21 September, according to Ennahar.

Page 3 27 September 2011 Drugs links to drug traffickers from Sahel countries Mali and Niger. In reaction to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) story According to World Tribune, the lucrative drug trade is suggesting a relationship between Polisario Front and drug thought to have fuelled divisions within Polisario. There are traffickers, Saharawi officials denied that the independence also suspicions that Polisario has been working with al Qaeda movement of the Saharawi Republic, or Western Sahara, had on weapons and drugs.

Development Angelia Sanders ► [email protected]

Libyan migration is straining resources in the European and North African countries receiving the migrants. The protection of human rights continues to be a challenge in Libya as fighting continues and more mass graves are discovered. Economic growth is projected to slow in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), despite an increase in international investment in the region.

Migration and Human Rights he influx of immigrants from Libya and Tunisia is adversely affecting neighbouring countries in Europe T and North Africa. Hundreds of Tunisian immigrants clashed with Italian riot police on Lampedusa Island as the Tunisians protested the conditions on the island, and 1,000 immigrants demanded to be transferred to reception centres on the Italian mainland. Video footage shows riot police beating immigrants as they try to escape. Since the beginning of 2011, almost 50,000 Tunisian and Libyan immigrants have arrived in Italy. Amnesty International has criticized „EU governments‟ poor response to those displaced by the Libyan conflict. So far, fewer than 700 resettlement slots in Europe have been offered to those displaced by the conflict. The United States, Canada and Australia have also offered to resettle some of the Libyan refugees. Amnesty International further reports that refugees and displaced people in North Africa have suffered a pattern of displacement, and that black Africans are more vulnerable to ENI Oil platform Bouri DP4 exploitation and racist attacks. Chad and Niger struggle with Source: Wikimedia Commons the influx of returning migrants who were living and working Libya during the conflict, as victims are afraid to report in Libya before the conflict began. Since April 2011, 80,000 attacks. The NTC has denied systematic abuse of black people have fled from Libya to Chad and 75,000 to Niger. Africans and has pledged to treat foreigners accused of Unlike Europe, these migrants are returning to communities fighting for pro-Gaddafi forces „well‟. A mass grave that are already fragile from severe food insecurity and containing more than 1,270 bodies was found in Tripoli. The economic and health crises. victims are believed to be inmates killed by Moammar Gaddafi‟s security forces in a 1996 massacre. Human Rights Within Libya, hundreds of families have fled from the town of Watch has requested that the bodies not be exhumed until Sirte as fighting escalated (see „Security‟ above). A forensic experts are available to assist with the exhumations. community leader from the city These experts would be under the estimates that one third of the umbrella of an NTC plan to establish town‟s 70,000 residents have a commission on missing persons. already left. National Transition “[G]reater gender equality can enhance Council (NTC) fighters and Economic Development residents, who had escaped the city, productivity, improve development outcomes The International Monetary Fund report that pro-Gaddafi forces are (IMF) has stated that high trying to prevent the remaining for the next generation, and make institutions unemployment, instability and rising residents from leaving and are more representative”. food prices will hinder economic executing residents suspected of growth in North Africa and the sympathising with the NTC. Food World Development Report 2012: Gender Middle East. The European debt reserves and medical supplies are crisis and weak growth in the United low in the city, and aid Equality and Development States could further depress organisations have been unable to commodity prices and foreign distribute relief supplies. investment in the region. Growth is expected to reduce to 4% in 2011 and Human Rights Watch has called on the NTC to investigate 3.6% in 2012. Mauritania is the exception, with a 5.1% growth allegations of sexual violence committed during the armed rate this year and an expected increase to 5.7% in 2012, which conflict and to provide medical services, treatment and support is attributed to the export of gold, copper, iron ore and oil. At to survivors. It is unknown the full extent of sexual violence in this year‟s annual Euro-Mediterranean Trade and Investment

Page 4 27 September 2011 Summit, Egypt hosted 500 businesses from across the Euro- French oil company Total has restarted production in Libya at Mediterranean region, in addition to members of the their offshore platform. Italian energy giant Eni has started Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce tapping 15 wells located 185 miles south of Benghazi and (ASCAME) - the largest business and trade organisation in the producing 31,900 barrels a day. The EU lifted sanctions Mediterranean region. EUR 23 billion will be invested into against Libya, which has enabled the NTC to revive the oil projects within the region. industry as well as access funds that will be used for humanitarian and civilian needs. In Egypt, local residents in The World Bank‟s World Development Report 2012: Gender the town of Idku have raised concerns over British Petroleum Equality and Development argues that “greater gender equality (BP)‟s plans to build an onshore gas processing plant. The can enhance productivity, improve development outcomes for town is a hub for oil and gas companies, and past the next generation, and make institutions more environmental studies have shown that industrial waste often representative”. The report states that across the MENA exceeds Egypt‟s permitted levels, endangering sea life and region, women‟s participation in the labour force remains low, agricultural lands. Egyptian authorities have declared a state of and women often lack access to economic opportunities. emergency along the Red Sea coast in response to a leak in an Women are more likely to work in the informal sectors of the oil well. economy, which do not pay regular wages. For example, 49% of Egyptian women work in services and 46% work in agriculture. In Morocco, a survey found that 79% of “young Moroccan graduates” dream of becoming entrepreneurs but 27% are pessimistic about the prospect of finding work. Young professionals often lack job-specific training, foreign language skills, or the experience needed to be considered. In response to these types of challenges, a USD 17 million development SUBMIT A REQUEST plan was announced at the 2011 Clinton Global Initiative. The FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Education for Employment‟s (EFE) three year plan, called “First Jobs, Then Futures for MENA Youth”, will enable CimicWeb account holders can submit RFIs to the CFC. These may concern the sectors ad- 13,000 young men and women in the MENA region to dressed in this newsletter or other topics relevant improve their lives through jobs and entrepreneurship. to the Mediterranean Basin, including Libya, or Tunisia‟s government presented the “Jasmine Economic and our other focus areas. To submit an RFI, fill out Social Plan”, which aims to reduce unemployment and boost the request form by clicking here. regional development within the next five years. Special focus will be on jobless youth and supporting private investment. Have a colleague who is interested in submitting an RFI? Tell him/her to request a CimicWeb Saudi Arabia and other Gulf members of the Organization of account by clicking here. the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raised their output of oil this summer to compensate for the lack of oil exported from Libya during the conflict. The increase in oil exports was done in order to stabilize oil prices in the midst of global economic uncertainty. OPEC expects Libyan oil production to reach one million barrels a day within the next six months, at which point Gulf members will cut back on their exports.

MEDITERRANEAN BASIN NOTICE BOARD

Euro-Mediterranean Study Commission (EuroMeSCo) Annual Conference

Who? Euro-Mediterranean Study Commission (EuroMeSCo) (http://www.euromesco.net/)

What? Annual Conference: "A New Mediterranean Political Landscape? The Arab Spring and Euro-Mediterranean Relations"

For whom? EuroMeSCo members and non-members interested in fostering research, information and social relations relating to Euro-Mediterranean politics and policies.

When & Where? From 06 October 2011 to 07 October 2011, Palau de Pedralbes, Barcelona, SPAIN

Contact Details: EuroMeSCo at [email protected] or (+34) 93 244 98 50

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 27 September 2011