6 IPRIS Maghreb Review OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

PAM’s parliamentary group? What is seems to benefit the PAM dispropor- All the King’s the new party’s potential to fulfil its tionately. Who are the parliamentar- declared goal of “rationalizing” the ians joining this new group? A quick Men: The fragmented Moroccan party system? glance at the composition of the PAM’s And finally, how does the emergence parliamentary bloc can help to answer emergence of the of this group fit into the Moroccan this question. The modal “transhu- history of divide and conquer within a mant” is a political newcomer serving Authenticity and context of fragmented party politics? in Parliament for the first time (with The origins of the party can be only ten PAM deputies serving a sec- traced back to the establishment ond or even third or fourth term). In modernity Party of the Movement of all Democrats terms of former partisan allegiances, (Mouvement de Tous les Démocrates, members of the PAM parliamentary (PAM) in Harakat li-kull al-Dimuqratiyyin) in group are mainly drawn from the early 2008 following the initiative of smaller pro-palace parties, although KEVIN KÖHLER former deputy of the Interior members of 13 political formations PhD researcher, European University Fouad Ali al-Himma, an advisor to and have joined the PAM, including two Institute, Florence former classmate of King Muhammad former members of the Istiqlal (Inde- VI and a prominent royalist figure. This pendence) party. Lastly, PAM deputies On October 20th 2010, the Moroccan group, originally open to members of tend to be concentrated in rural, rath- Authenticity and Modernity Party all political parties, was transformed er than urban constituencies and are (Parti Authenticité et Modernité, into a political party in early 2009 by thus based in parts of the country tra- PAM; Hizb al-Asala wa-l-Mu’asara) the merger of five smaller parties, ditionally more supportive of pro-pal- announced yet another reformation immediately dominating the local ace candidates and characterized by a of its two parliamentary groups in elections of June 2009, winning 21.7% strong impact of electoral clientelism. the House of Representatives and of the votes – a remarkable feat given This last point was even more obvious the House of Councillors. Despite not the fragmented nature of Morocco’s in the local elections in which the PAM having contested the 2007 legislative party system. Moreover, by October overwhelmingly won in rural constitu- elections, the PAM’s parliamentary 2010, the party commanded the encies. All of these points suggest that group in the Moroccan Chamber of allegiance of around 17% of deputies in the new group is predominantly made Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwwab) by the lower house and 27% in the upper up of political entrepreneurs who ex- now counts an impressive 55 deputies house of the Moroccan Parliament, pect to profit from a relatively close among its members. Constituted by mainly due to the fact that numerous association with the political elite (the representatives originally elected members of both chambers deserted Makhzen) offered by al-Himma’s party. under the banner of other parties, the their original parties and joined the The PAM, in other words, seems to be PAM parliamentary bloc has grown to PAM’s parliamentary bloc. a palace party in the making, and can become the strongest single group in This phenomenon of switching par- thus be seen as a tool used by the pal- the Majlis al-Nuwwab. What attracts tisan allegiance known as transhu- ace to restructure the party system. members of other parties to join the mance in Moroccan political discourse Such an initiative is not without IPRIS Maghreb Review | 2

precedent in Moroccan history. Rather, Further electoral success of the PAM has been keeping vast areas of the the Popular Movement (Mouvement is thus likely to exacerbate elite con- former “Spanish Sahara” occupied and Populaire, MP) founded in 1958, the flict and will ultimately lead to a return has relocated thousands of Moroccan Front for the Defence of Constitutional to the traditional policy of fragmenta- settlers. While the Sahrawi people are Institutions (Front de Défense tion and balancing. discriminated against in all aspects of des Institutions Constitutionelles, life, Moroccan settlers and particularly FDIC) formed in 1963, and the the Moroccan political elite – the National Assembly of Independents Makhzen – reap all the benefits of (Rassemblement National des exploiting the country’s resources Independents, RNI) emerging in 1978, and thus its fisheries industry. Just all represented attempts to unify pro- as it has done in previous cases of palace forces in a single political party. Western Sahara peaceful protest in the colonized area, That the current King is following the Moroccan colonial administration these examples is also supported – the last African continues to react with unacceptable by other features of the process in harshness and brutality. For example, which the PAM emerged. To begin Colony: An during the night of October 24th and 25th with, the party label of “Authenticity 2010, Moroccan occupational forces and Modernity” itself resembles a endless story even shot a child, 14-year old El-Garhi slogan frequently used by the late King Nayem Foidal Mohamed Sueid. Hassan II and suggests a conscious AXEL GOLDAU Almost two weeks later, the Kingdom effort by the party to link itself to the celebrated the so-called “Green IFAK, Göttingen Makhzen’s power structures. Although March” for the 35th time. In 1975, switching party allegiance is illegal attracting a lot of media attention, Since mid-October 2010, the Western for sitting deputies under Article 5 King Hassan had thousands of his Sahara conflict, the last and longest- of the Moroccan Political Parties poorest subjects cross the border running colonial conflict in , Law, most of the transhumants (with into the Western Sahara “to bring has yet again caught the attention some notable exceptions) have not home” this territory, a region that has of the international media. While in been legally prosecuted, despite actually never been “home”. In fact, Brussels EU bodies are just about vocal protest from (pro-palace and the International Court of Justice in its to negotiate the renewal of the opposition) party elites. advisory opinion of October 16th 1975 Fisheries Partnership Agreement This association of the party with the did not find any legal attachment to between the EU and Morocco, Makhzen as well as its strong show- Morocco before Spanish colonialism. thousands of Sahrawi people have ing in the 2009 local elections led to Therefore, no legitimate reasons exist left the cities of occupied Western speculation about the role it will play that justify the refusal to grant the Sahara and set up “dignity camps” in the next legislative elections sched- Sahrawian population the expression in the desert. They protest against uled for 2012. While it is very likely that of their self-determination in a free, the discrimination they are facing in the PAM will be an important player fair and transparent referendum. their own country and against the in the next legislature, interpretations In the context of the annual royal plundering of the country’s resources, that see the new pro-palace party as staging of “the Green March” in early mostly phosphate deposits and fish a dominant political force are prob- November 2010, the regime displayed stocks. The Fisheries Agreement will ably exaggerated. Most importantly, some signs of nervousness, and expire in March 2011, and because its the establishment of a dominating po- currently all signs point towards an purview includes territorial waters of litical force goes against established escalation in the occupied parts of occupied Western Sahara, it is highly traditions of electoral politics in the the Western Sahara. Following the controversial. In the summer 2009 the kingdom. As the historical precedent celebrations, Moroccan security forces European Parliament’s legal service of palace parties shows, such efforts raided a camp near Al-Aaiun, set concluded in its legal opinion that the could not be sustained in the past but numerous buildings on fire, caused agreement violates international law, tended to disintegrate rather quickly. the death of 20 people, injured more whereas the Moroccan government Secondly, although the emergence of than 700, and deported approximately keeps reiterating that the agreement the PAM is certainly primarily meant 160 Sahrawis. However, this incident is beneficial for all; yet, in fact, the to counter the Islamist Justice and De- does not seem to trouble the European Sahrawi people do not profit from it in velopment Party (Parti de la Justice et Commission nor the emerging any way. du Développement, PJD) it immediately European External Action Service and By now, the Sahrawi people have threatens the interests of smaller, its High Representative, Catherine become a minority in their own country: pro-palace parties – a challenge these Ashton. According to an EFE report Since 1975, the Kingdom of Morocco parties are unlikely to tolerate quietly. of November 9 2010, representatives IPRIS Maghreb Review | 3

of the European Commission and non-compliance policy, Morocco was its self-declared principles such as Morocco will soon be meeting in never subjected to any major political democratic rule, and the respect for Brussels to discuss the renewal of consequences. Certainly, this would human rights, the rule of law, and the Fisheries Partnership Agreement, not be possible without the regime’s good . Such an approach most likely in an atmosphere of reliance on its rather powerful would not only contribute positively “business-as-usual”. allies. From the very beginning of its to intra-Maghreb integration, but A sophisticated system of berms, expansionist practices, Morocco could would be an important step towards equipped with highly modern weapons always rely on the support of , stabilizing Morocco both culturally and and mines, mostly of US and French as the political and economical bonds economically. The Moroccan regime construction, stretches over the 2400 between the latter and its former would finally be encouraged and km-long desertland and cuts off the “protectorate” are still strong. Against enabled to reduce its extraordinarily Western Sahara from the eastern part this background it is hardly surprising high military budget and use the of the desert, liberated and controlled that since the creation of MINURSO, freed resources for the initiation of a by the Polisario Front. In so doing, France has repeatedly diluted sustainable development which could throughout the years Morocco has resolutions on a UN referendum for even serve as a model for all other increasingly expanded its access to the the Western Sahara and is constantly Maghreb states. country’s most important resources, blocking all efforts to sanction the Instead, the EU continues to blindly namely phosphate, originating in the Moroccan regime for its obstructionist follow the outdated colonial and Bu Craa Mine in the northern region of practices. imperialist guidelines set by France Saguia El Hamra, and vast fish stocks, Together with UNWRA in and and distances itself from its potential located off the 1000 km-long coast. UNFICYP in Cyprus, the UN Mission to successfully mediate between these According to international law, for Western Sahara is the oldest UN regional actors. By supporting the this situation is unambiguous. On mission. To date, the mission has not Moroccan regime for years, the EU has December 14th 1960, the UN General accomplished its objective of executing already become a party to the conflict Assembly adopted resolution 1514 the referendum, a goal for which it and is thus seriously undermining the which stipulates the following: “[…] was exclusively founded according to UN’s efforts to establish a sustainable all peoples have the right to self- UN resolution 1514 and UN Security and lasting peace in the Maghreb. determination; by virtue of that Council resolution 690 of April 19th 1991. right they freely determine their This is mainly due to the existence of political status and freely pursue a “coalition of the willing”, composed their economic, social and cultural of the four permanent members of development. […] Immediate steps the UN Security Council, France, the shall be taken, in Trust and Non- United Kingdom, the , the The Spanish self-Governing Territories or all Russian Federation, and , which other territories which have not yet has hitherto successfully ensured that enclave Melilla attained independence, to transfer no resolution ever passed through all powers to the peoples of those the Security Council which could territories, without any conditions or contradict its multifaceted interests. and international reservations, in accordance with their Supported precisely by this “coalition freely expressed will and desire […] of the willing“, in 2007 Morocco was migration All States shall observe faithfully and successful in planting the idea of strictly the provisions of the Charta an “autonomy solution” within the HANNA DIEDERICH of the , the Universal Security Council. It was mainly thanks Social Worker, Berlin (Translation by Jani Declaration of Human Rights and the to the efforts of the then Permanent Sitorus.) present Declaration […]”. Representative of South Africa to the Like Spain, the previous colonial power, UN Dumisani Kumalo that the right to Growing tensions between Spain and for the last 35 years the Kingdom self-determination did not disappear Morocco in August 2010 are proof of Morocco has been systematically completely from the Security Council’s that the political affiliation of Melilla, ignoring this and other resolutions. Resolution (S/RES/1754, 2007), as he the Spanish enclave situated on the The Makhzen continues to ignore any relentlessly pointed to the distinction northern coast of Morocco, remains ceasefire agreement and successfully between autonomy and self- a controversial issue. While Morocco inhibit the referendum that the United determination. regards enclaves such as Melilla, Nation’s Mission for the Referendum But what about the European Union Ceuta and other Mediterranean isles in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was (EU)? It can be argued that the EU has as occupied territories and remnants supposed to implement since its the means to de-escalate the conflict of its colonial past, the Spanish creation in 1991. Yet, in spite of this by complying with, and enforcing sovereignty and character of the IPRIS Maghreb Review | 4

autonomous city of Melilla are beyond summer 2005, when they attempted Mediterranean or to attempt entering dispute to the Spanish government. to climb over the Melilla fence in by boat. A six to eight meter high fence groups. Based on a recently published Only a fraction of migrants and surrounds Melilla, a city of 70.000 study by this author, the following refugees actually arrive in , as officially registered residents. 90% of aspects can be considered common they encounter obstacles during entry, these residents are Spanish citizens, factors that this group of people have are deported long before they reach half of Iberian origin and the other of in common: firstly, for these migrants European borders, or simply endure Moroccan descent. Melilla has been and refugees, Melilla is not the final long drawn-out migration routes a part of Spain since the Spanish destination but merely serves as a across different countries. Those that military occupied northern Morocco transit destination; secondly, they can arrive in Melilla describe their living in 1497. Furthermore, Melilla has in find basic minimum accommodation situation as very ambivalent. They the meantime become part of the facilities, food and medical care in criticize conditions in the camp (CETI), European Union and represents one of the “Centros de Estancia Temporal de and point to the cramped provisional the most important European border Inmigrantes” CETI; thirdly, their social accommodation facilities, resulting posts for the prevention of irregular background can be described as upper in conflicts between the residents, migration. lower class and lower middle class. blatantly unhygienic conditions, In a place such as Melilla, contra- The journeys undertaken and decisions restricted freedom of movement, dictions in European migration poli- made by these migrants and refugees and a complete lack of privacy. In cies become particularly evident. On vary greatly. Many of them travel for addition, they are segregated from the the one hand, there is an economic years before arriving in Melilla. The majority living in Melilla because they necessity for a renewed labor force, various stops on their migration route are forbidden to work, and the camp as shown by the demand for service are marked by insecurity, uncertainty, is remotely situated, thus hindering workers and low skilled workers in provisional arrangements and the lack the creation of social and supportive order to counteract the impact of de- of social networks. In addition to severe networks. Migrants and refugees mographic change. On the other, in- psychological stress, these factors can live in this camp for years while their creasingly restrictive legislation hin- result in the casualization of the entire status of residence remains unclear. ders legal immigration. This paradox living situation. In most cases these Living continuously in transit prevents endangers the lives and health of mi- people hide in the mountains around them from leading lifes that aim at grants and refugees, as the number of Melilla for months, but nowadays consistency and continuity. dying or injured refugees arriving at are more frequently detected by the Human rights obligations alone, European border posts or in the Medi- Moroccan military and deported to which are made openly violated in terranean shows. the desert or the Algerian border. places such as Melilla, may only be In Melilla, migration is either Consequently, the growing military enforced if changes are in European pendulum migration or transit presence of Moroccan security forces migration policies. Here, global as migration. Pendulum migration by prevents native citizens from helping well as economic power relations Moroccan citizens from the neighbor and supplying migrants and refugees become evident and the resulting region Nador is in part regulated by living in clandestine camps in the consequences are unacceptable from a frontier workers’ convention and mountains with food and vital goods. an ethical standpoint. results in a 50% population increase Within the context of EU action against Acceptable migration policies must during the day. Within this framework, irregular immigration – exemplified create the possibility of immigrating a number of Moroccan citizens by its financial support of the military legally, based on an approach that migrate mostly undocumented to operations described above – does not just link immigration to Melilla (overstayers). As these persons possibilities of irregular immigration the economic usability and macro- are not officially registered, the actual have become increasingly limited. economic added value of migrants. It number of people living in Melilla However, three major forms of entry has to focus on the human element remains unknown. The dynamics of remain: the first option is to climb over instead of focusing on the labor market, both forms of migration are influenced the high-tech border fence that is part economic policies or foreign and in particular by cross-border family of the Integrated System of Border security policy-related considerations. ties and historical interconnections. Surveillance (SIVE); the second option Undoubtedly, such a paradigm shift in Moreover, since the beginning of continues to be to resort to the practice migration politics requires a critical 1990, Melilla has increasingly become of smuggling and using opportunities reappraisal of the colonial past and its a transit destination for migrants for illegal entry, particularly via the consequences on the present. and refugees from other Maghrebi, regular border post Beni Enzar, or to sub-Saharan and Asian countries. pseudo-legal entry based on the use These migrants and refugees gained of forged documents. Lastly, the third public notoriety in Europe during the alternative is to swim through the IPRIS Maghreb Review | 5

New female voices within the Islamist movement in Morocco

JULIE PRUZAN-JØRGENSEN Project Researcher, Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Copenhagen

Women’s rights and possibilities in Morocco were But what does this new Islamist women’s activism considerably improved in recent years. These changes really change? Given that it is based on a religious are usually attributed to the combined efforts of the (Islamic) and not a liberal/secular framework, what state and a long-time and consistent push of the liberal are the problems it addresses – and the solutions it women’s organizations, which are among the strongest offers? Is this new women’s activism simply a new way and most professional throughout the Arab world. of religiously sanctioning female submission or does it The efforts of the liberal women’s movement often clash profoundly challenge existing gender roles and provide with the Moroccan Islamist movement, most often re- new egalitarian visions and solutions? ferred to as a conservative and patriarchal force in soci- In order to answer these questions, it is necessary ety. Yet, the moderate current of the Moroccan Islamist to provide a brief overview of the new women’s voice movement is currently seeing a dynamic women’s activ- and activism within the moderate Islamist movement. ism which rarely reaches While this movement is international headlines, quite heterogeneous and but which nevertheless has The moderate current of the includes a broad spectrum of important potentials that Moroccan Islamist movement organizations and individuals, permeate both the Islamist it is dominated by two movement and Moroccan is currently seeing a dynamic currents. The first of these is society more generally. women’s activism which only related to the Harakat al-Islâh The liberal women’s orga- wa-at-Tawhid or Movement nizations are perceived by rarely reaches international of Reform and Unity (MUR) large parts of the popula- headlines, but which and the Hizb al-Adala wa-al- tion as representing a for- Tanmia or Party for Justice eign ‘feminist’ approach nevertheless has important and Development (PJD). which threatens local cul- potentials that permeate The second is related to the ture, values and, not least, Jama’at al-Adl wal-Ihsan or religion. In contrast, the both the Islamist movement the Justice and Spirituality women’s activists related and Moroccan society more Association. to the Islamist movement The most well known Islamist enjoy a broader local pres- generally. organization in Morocco ence and are part of a reli- is the MUR and its related giously embedded discourse which appeals to other and political party, the PJD. Since the late 1990s, the PJD has broader segments of the Moroccan public. Accordingly, been accepted into the formal political game in exchange this ‘Islamist women’s activism’ may, potentially, impact for its recognition of the vast political (and religious) significantly by reaching out to new and wider audiences. prerogatives of the Moroccan monarchy, including the It also has the potential to challenge prevailing patriar- status of the king as emir al mouminin or ‘Commander of chal and conservative stances in new ways and thereby the Faithful’. Whereas the MUR/PJD are ‘soft-liners’ as contribute to an improvement of the situation and pos- regards their oppositional role and views of the monarchy, sibilities of Moroccan women in society. they are generally conservative ‘hard-liners’ with respect IPRIS Maghreb Review | 6

to controversial socio-cultural issues such as alcohol, in their full context. In fact, they seem uncomfortable with prostitution or homosexuality. focusing too specifically on women and prefer to deal with This conservatism is also reflected in the physical more general/comprehensive frames of understanding, be appearance of the different women’s activists adhering to they the family or society at large. As regards the latter, the MUR/PJD family, most of whom are veiled and wear they argue for example that marital problems are often a Moroccan djellabas of discrete color and design. But does result of more general societal problems, such as poverty, this conservative appearance mean that the women’s drug abuse or unemployment. Against this backdrop it is activists affiliated to the movement are conveyors of unsurprising that in case of marital problems, they follow conservative ideas? an approach which strives towards reconciliation, rather The basic tenet guiding the women’s activists related to than focusing uniquely on the rights of the individual the MUR/PJD is that Islam has in fact provided women woman, as preservation of the marriage and the family with rights. Hence, in order to help and support women, remains a strong value and aspiration. one should not neither ‘abandon Islam’ nor invent rights. The most important women’s association affiliated to Rather, according to them, the challenge remains to the movement is the ORWA, which was established in know, respect and implement the rights already given 1992 by members of the MUR. The ORWA is a national to women by Islam. In their view, it is also necessary to organization and has its headquarters in Casablanca. push interpretations and It remains a formally practices as far as possible independent women’s within a correct Islamic The basic tenet guiding the organization, although its interpretation and in order to women’s activists related to long-time president Bassima ensure this, they collaborate Hakkaoui is also member of closely with local ulama. the MUR/PJD is that Islam the consultative council of the Another fundamental MUR. Furthermore, Hakkaoui principle is that there has in fact provided women is a member of Parliament for is a complementarity with rights. Hence, in order to the PJD and leads the Party’s between men and women committee on women and the and between rights and help and support women, one family. obligations. Women have should not neither ‘abandon The ORWA became publicly the right to be provided for known when it played an by their fathers or husbands, Islam’ nor invent rights. important role during the but they are also obliged to Rather, according to them, the recent debate on the Moroccan take care of their families Personal Status Code, the so- and to contribute to their challenge remains to know, called Moudawana. During society. respect and implement the the reform process, ORWA Furthermore, women’s activists gained international activists related to the MUR/ rights already given to women attention by their staunch PJD state that they focus on by Islam. opposition against a large the ‘real’ problems, which catalogue of ‘women’s rights’ Moroccan women suffer proposed by the then socialist from. They do this while explicitly distancing their approach government. They opposed these rights because they from the supposedly ‘fake’ problems, which the secular/ judged them to be in contradiction with Islam and with liberal women’s organizations focus on. For example, during Moroccan tradition. However, they gave their support to a the heated debates of the Moudawana, activists belonging reform proposed subsequently by the Moroccan king and to the Mounadamat Tajdid al-Wa’i al-Nisa’i (Organization for ‘Commander of the Faithful’. This reform also substantially the Renewal of Women’s Awareness, ORWA) dismissed improved the status of women within the family but in liberal calls for the abolition of polygamy by referring to contrast to the proposal of the socialists, it was based only its infrequent practice in current Moroccan society. Today, on Islamic references. they similarly distance themselves from calls by liberal Whereas the ORWA is formally independent of both the actors to reconsider aspects of the inheritance laws by MUR and the PJD, 35 smaller, local women’s organizations evoking the argument that the liberal currents deal with spread out over the country form part of the so-called Az- marginal problems instead of dealing with ‘real’ problems, Zahra network which is affiliated with the MUR. While for a such as the problem that many Moroccan women do not long time it was presided by PJD-parliamentarian Soumeya receive the inheritance that they are entitled to according Benkhaldoun, the Az-Zahra network is currently headed to the already existing Sharia-based inheritance laws. by Bouteina Karouri. The range of membership and type These activists are also highly concerned about the of activities vary considerably between each of the local necessity of seeing and addressing women’s problems organizations, but they are generally focused on social IPRIS Maghreb Review | 7

work (literacy, professional training etc). Furthermore, in the women’s sections of the association and of the ORWA organizes annual campaigns on ethical and moral political circle, women on average constitute one third of issues, such as veiling, fighting drugs and pre-marital sex, leading figures within all the various sub-organizations of etc. the association, including its decision-making bodies and Finally, within the PJD, women play a very visible role. The its committee of ulama. This representation is the result of party has one of the highest percentages of female par- direct internal elections and not based on quota for women. liamentarians among all Moroccan parties, as six out of The prominent position of women on all levels of the the party’s current 46 MPs are women. This visibility does movement is a result of the thinking of Abdessalam Yassine, not necessarily reflect that women play an important role who in his multiple writings insists on the liberating nature within the party itself, however. Only two women are mem- of the Quranic message, the latter of which speaks of bers of the party’s general secretariat and none of the six providing women and slaves with rights. His daughter female MPs have been elected on regular terms, as they Nadia founded the women’s section and was one of the have all been elected through the ‘national list’, the latter official spokespersons for several years. A perfectly of which was initiated by the Moroccan regime to ensure francophone intellectual, she has for years been both the a minimum female parliamentary representation of 10%. most internationally well-known figure of the movement Yet, at any rate, the female and a constant source of PJD parliamentarians play The women’s activists affiliated frustration for the Moroccan an important symbolic role. monarchy. In 2005 she They demonstrate that it to Justice and Spirituality caused anger by stating is, in fact, possible for Mo- publicly her preference for roccan women to reconcil- challenge common stereotypes a Moroccan republic. For iate motherhood (they are the regime, as for many all married and mothers), of Islamist women. For one regular Moroccans, she faith (they are all veiled remains contradictory and and practicing Muslims) thing, they do so by their challenging – a veiled and and active participation physical appearance. While devoted Islamist – but also in society and politics. As a francophone intellectual such, they are important most of them are veiled and and a declared republican new role models. with a strong women’s Al Adl wal Ihsan (Justice wear modest/covering clothes, voice. and Spirituality) is the With regard to the other main Islamist orga- these are often very bright and predominant worldviews nization in Morocco. It is of the women’s activists a ‘home-grown’, Sufi-in- colorful. More substantially, they related to Justice and spired Moroccan organiza- challenge stereotypes by their Spirituality, the main tenet tion established and guid- is rather similar to the ed by its founder, Sheikh clear presence and leadership tenets that characterize Abdessalam Yassine. Jus- women that are affiliated tice and Spirituality does role in the association. to the MUR/PJD, namely not recognize the political that Islam empowered prerogatives or the reli- women, as it provides them gious status of the monarchy and is therefore not accepted with rights. However, in the view of women’s activists by the Moroccan authorities. Accordingly, it is very difficult associated with Justice and Spirituality, these rights were to obtain precise information of the number of adherents forgotten very early during what they call the ‘Umayyad coup and the geographical extent of the section as well as of the d’Etat’. After the period of the four rightly guided caliphs, organization in general. It is generally acknowledged, how- the politically and socially liberating message of Islam ever, that Justice and Spirituality is the biggest Islamist became subjected to political despotism and to misogynist organization in Morocco and that it has the broadest local interpretations. In their view, much of the following Islamic network and outreach. jurisprudence was made by men who were influenced The women’s activists affiliated to Justice and Spirituality by the political contexts of their time as well as by their challenge common stereotypes of Islamist women. For own gender. As a consequence, interpretations that do not one thing, they do so by their physical appearance. While respect the rights given to women by Islam were generated most of them are veiled and wear modest/covering clothes, and perpetuated. these are often very bright and colorful. More substantially, Justice and Spirituality women’s activists accordingly find they challenge stereotypes by their clear presence and themselves confronted with an enormous re-interpretative leadership role in the association. Besides their presence task: They need to go back to the sources, essentially the IPRIS Maghreb Review | 8

Quran, the sound hadith and the Sunna of the prophet, in submission or does it profoundly challenge existing gender order to bring to light the rights given to women (and men) roles and offer new egalitarian visions? by Islam. In order to ensure women-friendly interpretations, Undoubtedly, the answer to this question is far from the women’s section of Justice and Spirituality is currently being simple. First, the moderate Islamist movement in encouraging the formal education of 50 female Islamic Morocco is heterogeneous and includes a broad spectrum scholars or alimat. However, these reinterpretative efforts of organizations and individuals, all of which wish to see not only concern gender roles and women’s rights, but are Islam play a role in social and political life. This desire does an integral part of the overall political and oppositional however rest on different references and relates to rather aspirations of Justice and Spirituality, the latter of which highly different social, religious and political aspirations. does not recognize the concentration of religious, political Accordingly, the women’s activism of these different and economic powers that are currently concentrated in Islamist organizations and actors varies considerably. For the hands of the Royal Palace. instance, the re-interpretative Besides the intellectual work of women affiliated to or re-interpretive efforts, The moderate Islamist Justice and Spirituality seems the women’s section also to be far more ambitious and engages in a wide number of movement in Morocco challenging to traditional associational activities. The is heterogeneous and patterns of authority and main areas of engagement interpretation than the work of as regards the promotion includes a broad spectrum women’s activists affiliated to of women’s education are the MUR and PJD. In contrast, similar to those of the of organizations and women’s activists of the MUR/ women’s activists of the PJD have better chances to act MUR/PJD family. individuals, all of which as publicly visible role models The women’s section in parliament and beyond given supports a wide network of wish to see Islam play a the official recognition of their local women’s associations role in social and political movement. involved in social work. Secondly, it is difficult to They provide reading and life. It is difficult to comprehend fully and thus learning skills to the many categorize the significance illiterate Moroccan women, comprehend fully and thus of these different actors with notably among the elderly respect to women’s rights and generations. In addition, categorize the significance empowerment more generally, activists teach basic crafts as these aspirations fall in to women (such as sowing, of these different actors between, or may be rather baking, craft work etc.) in with respect to women’s beyond the liberal/secular vs. order to help the latter gain Islamist divide. On one hand, financial independence and to rights and empowerment it is obvious that Islamist facilitate their participation in women’s activists work within society. Through partnership more generally, as these clear limits – for instance, clear with schools, orphanages verses of the Quran on issues and prisons, the section aspirations fall in between, such as polygamy or heritage also operates with a view are not to be contradicted. On to support and guide young or maybe rather beyond the the other hand, this new Islamist women. Finally, the section liberal/secular vs. Islamist women’s voice certainly has undertakes efforts to educate a highly significant potential family members (both male divide. because it has a broader and female) as regards the local outreach and is more importance of mutual respect acceptable to broad segments of within the family. Yet, whereas the MUR and PJD are the population than the liberal women’s organizations and officially recognized socio-political actors, the women’s their secular/rights-based arguments. In a context marked activists affiliated to Justice and Spirituality are forced to by clear post-colonial animosity against the imposition of work informally because the association is not recognized ‘Western’ models and ways, this ’home-grown’ women’s by the regime. voice may well represent an important complement to the Further above, the question was raised what precisely is the efforts of both the state and the secular/liberal women’s impact of the new Islamist women’s activism in Morocco. organizations in Morocco in years to come. Is it simply a new way of religiously sanctioning female IPRIS Maghreb Review | 9

Timeline of Events

the three islands of Abu Moussa and Greater 24 October 2010 (): and Lesser Tunbs occupied by . Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci stated that Algeria regrets the “serious obstacles” facing 18-21 October 2010 (Algiers): the process of decolonization of Western The UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy Sahara. 3-4 October 2010 (Algiers): to the Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, met The head of the British Diplomatic Service, the Minister in charge of Maghreb and African 24 October 2010 (Algiers): Simon Fraser, met Deputy Minister for Maghreb Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel. Ross announced The head of National Security (DGSN), General and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel on that a new round of talks between Morocco and Abdelghani El Hamel, initiated major changes his first overseas trip. Bilateral relations were Polisario on the future of the Western Sahara in his services, which affect three-quarters of discussed. will be held in early November under the the heads of security. The policy was adopted auspices of the UN. He also visited the Tindouf after President gave his 5 October 2010 (Algiers): refugee camp in southwest Algeria and met consent and it was implemented less than four Sudan’s Defense Minister Abdel Rahim President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Ross said that months after El Hamel’s appointment. Hussein met with President Abdelaziz the status quo in the disputed territory was Bouteflika to discuss the referendum on the “untenable”. 26 October 2010 (Berlin): self-determination of southern Sudan. Transparency International’s 2010 Corruption 18 October 2010 (Algiers): Perceptions Index ranks Algeria in 105th 6 October 2010 (Algiers): After meeting French Justice Minister Michèle position out of 178 countries. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika met his Russian Alliot-Marie, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika counterpart Dmitry Medvedev to discuss said that Algerian-French relations “are fine”. 26 October 2010 (Algiers): bilateral cooperation in the gas industry and Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci met with in the military. Medvedev meant to convince 18 October 2010 (Algiers): Argentina’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alberto Algeria to approve the sale of its biggest Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci met with Pedro D’Alloto, who stated that Argentina mobile telephone operator and BP’s Algerian the director of the United Nations Industrial supports the UN’s efforts in the Western assets to Russian companies. Six deals were Development Organization (UNIDO), Kandeh Sahara. signed, including cooperation in the energy and Kolleh Yumkella, who visited the country for transportation sector. the first time. 3 November 2010 (Algiers): President Abdelaziz Bouteflika met with 9-10 October 2010 (Sirte): 20 October 2010 (Algiers): the Managing Director of the International While addressing the Arab-African Summit, The President of , Boni Yayi Thomas, met Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika emphasized the with the Chairman of the National Council, Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci and the importance of speeding up regional integration , and with Foreign Governor of the Central Bank of Algeria, with a view to foster development. Minister Mourad Medelci. Mohamed Laksaci, also attended the meeting.

12 October 2010 (Algiers): 20-21 October 2010 (Khartoum): 3 November 2010 (Algiers): The Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- The Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci announced Jaber Al-Sabah, met with President Abdelaziz Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, co-chaired the Algeria’s diplomacy roadmap for 2011. It Bouteflika to discuss bilateral relations. Seven third session of the Algerian-Sudanese Joint focuses on five topics: international peace and cooperation agreements were signed in areas Committee with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali security, the fight against terrorism, mainly such as justice and commerce. Ahmed Karti. Messahel also met with Sudan’s enhancing resolution 1904 of the UN Security Vice-President Ali Osman Taha. Council, the Western Sahara issue, and the 13 October 2010 (Algiers): situation in the and Palestine. The speaker of the UAE Federal National 21 October 2010 (Algiers): Council, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, met with Prime Minister stated that 9 November 2010 (Lisbon/Oeiras): Abdelaziz Ziari, the Speaker of the Algerian Algeria is determined to eradicate terrorism, but Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and Portuguese National People’s Assembly, with Prime still extends a hand to Islamic extremists who Prime Minister José Socrates met for the Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, and with President renounce violence. Foreign Minister Mourad 3rd Luso-Algerian Summit. Ouyahia also met Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The latter highlighted the Medelci said that security in the was the Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva. UAE’s peaceful initiative to resolve the issue of sole responsibility of each country concerned. IPRIS Maghreb Review | 10

In a joint statement, both parties praised the between the two countries. Both co-chaired three years. Palestinian President Mahmoud noteworthy Portuguese-Algerian economic the first session of the Joint Committee of Abbas took the opportunity to seek Arab and financial cooperation and expressed their Algerian-Iranian cooperation and Ouyahia also support for possible fallback options in the desire to strengthen the bilateral partnership, met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. event peace talks with collapse. Arab particularly concerning public works, A total of 11 Memorandums of Understanding League leaders voiced their support for Sudan, transport, and information and communication were signed. but did not mention the Middle East peace technologies. process.

10 November 2010 (Algiers): 12 October 2010 (Tripoli): Algerian and US military officials held their met with the adviser of 4th bilateral dialogue that ended with a multi- the Belarus president in charge of national year accord to train personnel, to conduct security, Victor Loukatchenko, to discuss joint exercises and to share counter-terrorism bilateral ties. technology. 2 October 2010 (Tripoli): Chevron Corp and Occidental have not extended 12-13 October 2010 (Tripoli): 12 November 2010 (Algiers): their five-year oil and gas licenses in Libya. US Assistant Secretary of State for Political- Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci and Minister The two companies were part of a first wave Military Affairs, Andrew J. Shapiro, met with Delegate to the Foreign Ministry in Charge of foreign firms which entered Libya’s energy Libyan officials to discuss regional security of Maghreb and African Affairs, Abdelkader sector after sanctions were lifted. developments and humanitarian issues. Messahel, met with Alistair Burt, the British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East 2 October 2010 (Tripoli): 14 October 2010 (Tripoli): and North Africa. At the end of the meeting, it Libya released two South Korean men arrested Libya concluded a deal worth US$28 million was announced that a Bilateral Committee for for allegedly violating religious laws, ending a with Transas Marine company for a radar anti-terrorism cooperation would be created, diplomatic row with . system capable of monitoring its coastline, meant to develop intelligence sharing and illegal migrants, and outbreaks of pollution. training. Burt urged Algeria to use its influence 3 October 2010 (Sirte): to persuade the Iranian government to resume Muammar Gaddafi received Prime Minister of 19 October 2010 (Tripoli): the long-stalled nuclear talks. São Tomé and Príncipe Patrice Trovoada. The Secretary of the Libyan general people’s committee for Industry, Economy and Trade, 16 November 2010 (Algiers): 4 October 2010 (Tripoli): Mohamed Haweij, and the Chadian Trade and Speaking with Algerian Prime Minister The European Union’s home affairs Industry minister, Youssouf Abassalah, agreed Ahmed Ouyahia, Iran’s First Vice-President commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem and to increase bilateral trade and create a joint Mohammad Reza Rahimi said that Iran and enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele met chamber of commerce and a businessmen’s Algeria could further boost bilateral relations, with Libyan Interior Minister Abdelfattah al- council. particularly in the field of oil and natural gas. Obeidi and Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa to discuss clandestine migration to Europe. 21 October 2010 (Tripoli): 17 November 2010 (Algiers): French Industry Minister Christian Estrosi met The first meeting of the Algerian-Italian 4 October 2010 (Tripoli): Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi. Cooperation Group Against Terrorism Libya provided with two reconnaissance The parties signed several agreements on was held, aiming to strengthen political, planes to combat insurgents supported by al- trade, and Estrosi expressed the French judicial, diplomatic, financial and operational Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). government’s desire to expand cooperation partnerships. The meeting took place in with Libya in areas including nuclear energy. A the context of a bilateral counter-terrorism 5 October 2010 (Brussels): Declaration of Intent was signed, aiming at the agreement that was signed in July. The European Commission offered Libya establishment of a “strategic partnership”. approx. 250 million in aid to stop the flow 18 November 2010 (Algiers): of illegal migrants to Europe and to protect 21 October 2010 (Tripoli): In a message to Mohamed VI on the occasion refugees. The amount is below Libya’s request, Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa met of the 55th anniversary of the kingdom’s which amounted to 25 billion. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Zainul Abidin independence, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika Rasheed. Both agreed that their countries can expressed his desire to strengthen relations 9-10 October 2010 (Sirte): become gateways to their respective regions. between his country and Morocco. The second Arab-African summit took place. Muammar Gaddafi held bilateral talks with 22-23 October 2010 (Tripoli): 22-23 November 2010 (Tehran): Sudan’s President Omar el Bashir, among Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia visited Iran others. Gaddafi stated that Sudan’s secession Libya and met with Muammar Gaddafi. The two at the invitation of Iran’s First Vice-President would be a dangerous precedent and he countries signed agreements in several fields Mohammad Reza Rahimi to discuss cooperation emphasized the need to hold the summit every IPRIS Maghreb Review | 11

including joint investments, commerce, air and in Libya if they form a joint venture with a local 19 November 2010 (Gaborone): sea transports, energy, education and culture. partner. During the summit, Muammar Gaddafi argued in favour of the creation of the 24 October 2010 (Tripoli): 4 November 2010 (Tripoli): United States of Africa. The Speaker of the Lower House of , The Libyan government suspended Oea Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, met with Abdel Kadar, newspaper, owned by Muammar Gaddafi’s 23 November 2010 (Tripoli): General Coordinator of the Revolutionary reformist son Saif al-Islam. Oea had already Prime Minister Al Baghdadi Ali Al Mahmoudi Committee’s Liaison Office. been suspended in January this year. Moreover, and the Prime Minister of Mykola 20 from the Libya Press news Azarov co-chaired the 5th joint committee of 24 October 2010 (Tripoli): agency, also part of Saif al-Islam’s Al-Ghad Libya and the Ukraine. Libya hosted the third conference of the media group, were arrested. Chinese-Arab friendship association, entitled 29-30 November 2010 (Tripoli): “towards promising horizons of Chinese-Arab 8 November 2010 (Tripoli): The 3rd Africa-Europe summit brought friendship”. Libya ordered a diplomat based at the United together close to 80 leaders, heads of state States embassy in Tripoli to leave the country and governments from member countries of 25 October 2010 (Tripoli): within 24 hours due to breaching diplomatic the African Union and the European Union, to The Gaddafi International Charity and rules. discuss the adoption of the Second Action Plan Development Foundation announced projects (2011-2013) of the common Africa-EU strategy. worth eight million dollars destined to help 8 November 2010 (Tripoli): Muammar Gaddafi warned the European Darfur refugees to return to their homes. The 20 arrested journalists from Libya Press Union that Africa would turn to other trade News were released. According to a Libyan partners if the EU continues to impose terms 26 October 2010 (Berlin): government press statement, Muammar for cooperation. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Transparency International’s 2010 Corruption Gaddafi “gave instructions for the release of Tayyip Erdogan attended as honorary guest and Perceptions Index ranks Libya in 146th position the Libya Press journalists and asked that an received the Human Rights Award. The award out of 178 countries. inquiry be opened into the matter”. was presented to him by the Gaddafi Human Rights Award International Committee. 27 October 2010 (Tripoli): 11 November 2010 (Tripoli): The Syrian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Oea newspaper reappeared with a new editor Resources, Sufian Allao, met with the Chairman and a pledge of loyalty to Muammar Gaddafi. of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), This was widely seen as a concession to Shukri M. Ghanem. Both expressed their desire conservatives in the ruling elite. to establish joint investment projects in the oil Mauritania and gas sectors. 11 November 2010 (Tripoli): In his capacity as chairman of the League of 13 October 2010 (Algiers): 2 November 2010 (Tripoli): Arab States and the Maghreb Arab Union, The Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Shukri M. Ghanem, chairman of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi mediated a diplomatic Al-Sabah, met with President Mohamed Ould National Oil Corporation, declared that oil action to stop the clashes between Moroccan Abdel Aziz to discuss bilateral relations. producers would be increasingly comfortable security forces and the Western Sahara with crude prices of US$100 per barrel in view demonstrators in Laayoune. 21 October 2010 (Nouakchott): of higher food prices and a weaker US dollar. The Special Representative of the UN 12 November 2010 (Tripoli): Secretary-General for the Western Sahara 2 November 2010 (Tripoli): The European Union expressed its objections Christopher Ross met with President Mohamed Prime Minister Al Baghdadi Ali Al Mahmoudi to Libya over the possible attendance of the Ould Abdel Aziz. Both stressed the need to and Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir overcome the present status quo in Western rd Libyan Military Major-General Abu-Bakr Younis at the 3 Africa-EU Summit, to take place on Sahara by encouraging negotiations without th Jaber met with Serbia’s Minister of Defense November 29 . preconditions between the various parties. Dragan Sutanovac. The main topic of discussion was military and economic cooperation, as 19 November 2010 (Tripoli): 24 October 2010 (Nouakchott): well as opportunities for improvement and Three human rights groups (Alkarama, Trial During the opening session of a forum meant to development. and Human Rights Watch) stated that torture devise a national counter-terrorism strategy, was used in Libya and impunity was granted to President expressed 3 November 2010 (Tripoli): perpetrators, citing for instance the case of an his determination to fight Al Qaeda in Islamic According to local media, Prime Minister engineer who died shortly after his detention. Maghreb (AQIM) and thanked his Malian Al Baghdadi Ali Al Mahmoudi declared that counterpart Amadou Toumani Toure for crucial foreign investors will only be allowed to operate support in this regard. IPRIS Maghreb Review | 12

24 October 2010 (Montreux): newspaper conducted an opinion poll on the be held in November. Ross also met Foreign Mauritania was represented at the 13th monarchy. Minister Taib Fassi Fihri. Francophone Summit by Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for African Affairs Coumba 5 October 2010 (): 24 October 2010 (Montreux): Ba. Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri expressed Morocco was represented at the 13th Morocco’s support for Mustapha Salma Ould Francophone Summit by Prime Minister Abbas 26 October 2010 (Berlin): Sidi Mouloud – a former Polisario Police El Fassi. Transparency International’s 2010 Corruption Inspector-General arrested in Algeria on Perceptions Index ranks Mauritania in 143rd September 23rd, weeks after he announced his 25 October 2010 (Rabat): place out of 178 countries. intention to defend the Moroccan proposal to According to Human Rights Watch, Morocco grant autonomy to the Western Sahara. routinely holds suspected militants in secret 21 November 2010 (Nouakchott): detention where they are at risk of being coerced Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed 6 October 2010 (Western Sahara): into making false confessions. The Moroccan Laghdaf laid the first stone of a US$120 million The Western Sahara’s Polisario Front government rejected these allegations. complex for the fishing industry, financed by declared that it would free Mustapha Salma . China’s to Mauritania, Ould Sidi Mouloud. The decision to release 25 October 2010 (Rabat): Zhang Xun declared that Beijing has “worked Mouloud “comes in response to the request Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri met with to encourage Chinese businessmen to work of international human rights organizations,” Burundi’s Foreign Minister Augustin Nsanze, in Mauritania in accordance with the country’s according to a statement from the Polisario who declared that Burundi decided not to new fishing policy”. Front. recognise the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Several agreements were 28 November 2010 (Nouakchott): 9-10 October 2010 (Sirte): signed in the domains of political, economic, Mauritania celebrated half a century of While addressing the Arab-African Summit, technical, cultural and educational cooperation. independence from France. King Mohammed VI urged Arab and African nations to dedicate themselves to renewing 26 October 2010 (Berlin): 30 November 2010 (Nouakchott): their support, after more than three decades of Transparency International’s 2010 Corruption Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed hesitation and inaction. Perceptions Index ranks Morocco in 85th Laghdhaf met with a European Union delegation position out of 178 countries. 16 October 2010 (): to discuss the political dialogue between the King Mohamed VI met with UN Secretary ruling government and opposition parties. 26-28 October 2010 (Marrakesh): General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of The World Economic Forum on the Middle East the Third World Policy Conference. Foreign and North Africa concluded with participants Minister Taib Fassi Fihri and Assistant underscoring the urgent need for action to Secretary-General Taye Brook Zerihoun also secure the future prosperity of the region. attended the meeting. Over 1.000 leaders from 62 countries with a Morocco background in business, government, civil 16 October 2010 (Marrakesh): society and media took part in this meeting On the sidelines of the Third World Policy that was held under the theme “Purpose, 2-3 October 2010 (Lisbon): Conference, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel On the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting on Resilience and Prosperity”. Angél Moratinos highlighted the importance of resources for least developed countries (LDCs), agricultural agreements between Morocco and Secretary of State to the Foreign Ministry 28 October 2010 (Rabat): the European Union. declared that Morocco is Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Ouzzine met with committed to supporting LDC efforts through 17 October 2010 (Jerusalem): a reinforced and renovated South-South Russian Deputy Minister of Justice Vasily Israeli President Shimon Peres cancelled cooperation. Likhachev. This visit was held on the occasion his trip to Morocco after King Mohammed VI of the 40th anniversary of the Moroccan-Russian refused to meet him personally. The visit was association friendship agreement. 2 October 2010 (Rabat): scheduled in the context of the World Economic A Moroccan Arab-language weekly went Forum. Mohamed VI argued that the timing was bankrupt and was forced to close, according 28 October 2010 (Rabat): not appropriate. to its publisher, who blamed “the highest Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Ouzzine met with Saad circles of power” for organizing a boycott of 22-25 October 2010 (Casablanca): advertisers. The media watchdog Reporters Al-Otaibi, the Assistant Director-General of the King Mohammed VI received the United without Borders (RSF) declared that the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy boycott was launched in August 2009 after the for the Middle East. for the Western Sahara Christopher Ross. The meeting prepared the next round of talks to IPRIS Maghreb Review | 13

28 October 2010 (Budapest): 10 November 2010 (Puerto Vallarta): 16 November 2010 (Rabat): Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Morocco defended its security forces following Cooperation Latifa Akharbach met with Latifa Akharbach, led the Moroccan delegation a raid at a protest camp in the Western Sahara Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi to the Fourth Global Forum on Migration and in which at least 12 people were killed. Interior and other senior officials to discuss bilateral Development (GFMD). Akharbach said that Minister declared that police relations and ’s agenda for its Morocco adopted a “comprehensive approach” intervention at the camp near the town of Presidency of the European Council. Morocco’s on the migration issue that privileges Laayoune was peaceful. EU Advanced Status was also discussed. the defense of migrants’ rights and that consolidates international cooperation in this 17 November 2010 (Brussels): 29 October 2010 (): field. Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri offered to The news station declared that it appear before the European Parliament to had been ordered to suspend its TV operations 10-13 November 2010 (): explain the incidents in Laayoune and to in Morocco. Al Jazeera was accused of The MEDays 2010 forum took place under the address the situation of Western Sahara. This damaging the country’s image. The Moroccan high patronage of King Mohammed VI. The offer was made at a meeting with President of Communications Ministry said that the - forum’s topic was “The South: Between crisis the Freedoms and Justice Commission of the based channel violated journalistic standards and emergency”. Parliament, Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar. for accuracy and objectivity. 11 November 2010 (Rabat): 18 November 2010 (Brussels): 3 November 2010 (Madrid): Prime Minister met with Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri called on Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri met with his ’s Vice-President Angelino Garzon, different groups of the European Parliament to newly appointed Spanish counterpart Trinidad who described Algerian-Colombian relations consolidate the dynamic of negotiations on the Jiménez. Fihri criticized the Spanish media as being excellent. Garzon also welcomed the Western Sahara issue. for biased coverage of the recent incidents in resumption of informal meetings between Western Sahara. In a press conference, Fihri Morocco and the Polisario Front, under the 21 November 2010 (Dakar): expressed his concern about drug trafficking aegis of the United Nations. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the in Morocco, adding that he is aware of the preparatory meeting for the 14th Moroccan- involvement of Latin American cartels. This was 11 November 2010 (Tangier): Senegalese Joint Commission, the Foreign the first meeting between Fihri and Jiménez. Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri and his Serbian Ministry’s Secretary of State Mohamed Ouzzine counterpart Vuk Jeremic signed agreements in called for a “fruitful, innovative and mutually 7 November 2010 (Rabat): culture, science, education and sport. advantageous” relation with . King Mohammed VI justified his country’s position on the Western Sahara by accusing 14 November 2010 (Rabat): 22 November 2010 (Rabat): Algeria of “threatening the integrity of the The Secretary General of the ruling Istiqlal Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri met with Moroccan territories, by backing the Polisario Party and Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi Managing Director of the Sri Front”. strongly condemned statements by Spanish Mulyani Indrawati, who declared that the Popular Party Leader Mariano Rajoy, saying measures taken by Morocco to handle the 8 November 2010 (Laayoune): that they are “surprising and false statements global economic crisis enabled it to better Moroccan forces tore down a tent camp in the that undermine our territorial integrity”. Rajoy manage its impact. Western Sahara where approx. 20.000 people criticized Morocco with respect to the events of were protesting against “discrimination and November 8th in the Western Sahara. 25 November 2010 (Brussels): deprivation at the hands of the Moroccan The European Parliament adopted a resolution government”. 14 November 2010 (Rabat): in favor of a UN investigation into the violence The second ministerial meeting of the that accompanied the dismantling by Moroccan 9 November 2010 (New York): Conference of African States Bordering the forces of a camp of Sahrawi protesters in The third round of informal negotiations Atlantic was held under the chairmanship of Laayoune. between Morocco and the Polisario Front Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri. ended with an agreement on the resumption of 27 November 2010 (Madrid): trust-building measures and an announcement 15 November 2010 (Rabat): In an interview to the Spanish daily El País, of future discussions. Algerian, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri met with his Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri classified and United Nations representatives followed Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze. the resolution approved by the European the negotiations. Morocco stated that some Parliament as “hasty and bias”, and rejected a progress was made while Polisario declared 15-17 November 2010 (Rabat): UN investigation. Fihri rejected any accusation that no significant achievements were reached. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle of torture and disappearances of Saharawis met with Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri. The following the publication of testimonies in the visit focused on energy but also on the Western Spanish newspapers. For Fihri, MINURSO has Sahara. no jurisdiction over human rights. IPRIS Maghreb Review | 14

28 November 2010 (Rabat): (TAIEX) and ’s Trade and Handicrafts the World Bank, the African Development Bank Hundreds of thousands of Moroccans Ministry organized a workshop on piracy (AfDB) and the French Development Agency demonstrated against the Spanish Popular and counterfeiting. The Secretary of State took part in the event. The meeting focused on Party and its critique of the raid of Moroccan for Foreign Trade Chokri Mamoghli stressed steps taken to implement the components of security forces on a protest camp in Western Tunisia’s will to boost cooperation with the 12th Development Plan (2010-2104) in the Sahara. Prime Minister Abbas el Fassi attended European and Mediterranean states in the fight areas of water resources mobilization, saving the protest. against counterfeiting. of drinking and irrigation water.

29 November 2010 (Marrakesh): 8 October 2010 (Tunis): 19 October 2010 (Tunis): On the sidelines of the 10th Moroccan Tourism President Ben Ali met with Sheikh Hamad Prime Minister received Conference, King Mohammed VI met with Ben Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar. The Congolese Minister of Town Planning and Qatar’s Minister of State for International meeting focused on strengthening bilateral Housing Cesar Lubamba Ngimbi. Cooperation Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah. cooperation, investment in megaprojects, as well as the development of trade relations. 20-21 October 2010 (Tripoli): 30 November 2010 (Casablanca): The Interior and Local Development Minister Foreign Trade Minister Abdelatif Maazouz and 9-10 October 2010 (Sirte): Rafik Belhaj Kacem met with his Libyan ’s Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Çaglayan While addressing the Arab-African Summit, counterpart Abelfattah Younès Al- Obeidi. met on the occasion of the Turkish-Moroccan President Ben Ali highlighted the need to Business Forum. optimize consultation and coordination. 22 October 2010 (Tunis): Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi met with 11-14 October 2010 (Tunis): the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar On the occasion of the assistance drill “Assistex Telecom, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Tunisia 3”, organized by the Organization for the Saoud Al Thani, with the purpose of discussing Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), future investments. 4-5 October 2010 (Tunis): Foreign Affairs Minister met The Head of the British Diplomatic Service with the Organization’s 24 October 2010 (Montreux): th Simon Fraser met senior members of the Ahmed Uzumucu. Tunisia was represented in the 13 Francophone Tunisian government to discuss bilateral Summit by Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane. relations, commercial and investment 12 October 2010 (Tunis): opportunities in sectors such as energy, President Ben Ali announced a partial cabinet 26 October 2010 (Berlin): English language teaching, financial services, reshuffle that led to changes in the Ministries of Transparency International’s 2010 Corruption th and tourism. Agriculture and Water, Trade and Handicrafts, Perceptions Index ranks Tunisia in 59 place State Domains and Land Affairs and that out of 178 countries. Tunisia has the lowest rate 6 October 2010 (Tunis): affected a number of the Prime Minister’s of corruption among Maghreb countries. On the sidelines of the Fourth Islamic delegate Ministers. Conference of Environment Ministers, 28 October 2010 (Tunis): Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane met with 12 October 2010 (Tunis): The Tunisian-Libyan Higher Joint Executive Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of The Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Committee was chaired by Prime Minister the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Al-Sabah, met with President Ben Ali to discuss Mohamed Ghannouchi and Libyan Secretary of bilateral relations. the General People’s Committee Al-Baghdadi 6 October 2010 (Washington): Ali Al-Mahmoudi. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi attended 14 October 2010 (Tunis): a round-table meeting on the characteristics Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane met with 28 October 2010 (Tunis): of the Tunisian development model at the French Minister of Immigration, Integration, President Ben Ali met with the Secretary- World Bank’s (WB) headquarters. Ghannouchi National Identity and Solidarity-based General of the , . reiterated to World Bank President Robert B. Development Eric Besson. Both expressed their The situation in the Arab world was the focus Zoellick his appreciation of President Ben Ali intention to implement the bilateral agreement of the meeting. Moussa also met with Foreign and of the Tunisian Government for its firm on the joint management of migration and Minister Kamel Morjane. commitment to development in the world and in solidarity-based development. Africa. Ghannouchi also met with the Managing 1 November 2010 (Tunis): Director of the International Monetary Fund 18 October 2010 (Tunis): Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane met with Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Stefania Craxi, Italian Secretary of State Fisheries met with a for Foreign Affairs. Strengthening bilateral 6 October 2010 (Tunis): European delegation led by the Ambassador relations, the future of Tunisia-EU relations, The European Commission’s Technical and Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation and regional and international issues of mutual Assistance and Information Exchange Program in Tunis, Adrianus Koetsenruijter. Experts from interest were the focus of these talks. IPRIS Maghreb Review | 15

5 November 2010 (Tunis): 11-13 November 2010 (Hammamet): 15 November 2010 (Tunis): Secretary of State in the Foreign Minister’s Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane met with office in charge of American and Asian Affairs, opened the fifth edition of “ICTs-4-All Forum Equatorial Guinea’s Secretary of State for Saida Chtioui, received South Korean Foreign Tunis+5”. This event was attended by the African Affairs Victoria Nsue Okomo, who Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Jae-shin. The Secretary-General of the International also met the Secretary of State in the Foreign agenda focused on bilateral relations Telecommunications Union (ITU), Hamadoun Minister’s Office in charge of Maghreb, Arab Touré, by the Secretary-General of the United and African Affairs, Abdelhafidh Herguem. 8-9 November 2010 (Malta): Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (UNCTAD), Supachai Panitchpakdi, by the 22-26 November 2010 (Gabon): Abdelhafidh Harguem led a delegation to Chairman of the World Alliance of Information Coordinator-General of Economic Cooperation the First Alliance of Civilizations for the and Communication Technologies (UN- with African Countries Sadok Fayala led a Mediterranean’s regional meeting. Harguem GAID), Talal Abou Ghazala, ministers, heads delegation to Gabon and met with Gabonese said that the Alliance should be a pragmatic of delegation, senior officials from several Cabinet members to examine bilateral response to the inter-cultural dialogue, countries, and representatives of regional and cooperation. specifically in the fields of common education, international organizations. youth, immigration and media. 12 November 2010 (Tunis): 10 November 2010 (Tunis): Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi President Ben Ali met Miguel Angel Moratinos, received Libya’s Planning and Finance Minister Spain’s former Foreign Minister and now Abdelhafidh Zlitni. Both reviewed the co- Special Envoy of the the Spanish Prime MInister. operation programs adopted during the six- Moratinos delivered a written message from monthly meeting of the Tunisian-Libyan High Spain’s Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero Executive Commission, held last October in focusing on boosting cooperation and dialogue Tunis. in the Mediterranean region.

EDITORS | Paulo Gorjão • Tobias Schumacher ASSISTANT EDITORS | Diogo Noivo • Laura Tereno DESIGN | Atelier Teresa Cardoso Bastos PRINTING | Europress

Portuguese Institute of and Security (IPRIS) Rua Vitorino Nemésio, 5 - 1750-306 Lisboa PORTUGAL http://www.ipris.org email: [email protected]

IPRIS Maghreb Review is a publication of IPRIS. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IPRIS. IPRIS Maghreb Review | 16