Amal Obeidi, Libya Politics and Governance Contributor at Maghreb Insider
Amal Obeidi
30 articlesEditor
Libya politics and governance contributor
Amal Obeidi covers Libya’s political institutions, governance, state-building, reconciliation and regional security for Maghreb Insider. Her work examines how formal government structures, local power networks and competing centres of authority shape political outcomes inside Libya and across North Africa.
30 latest articles by Amal Obeidi
STIP swings to profit as cash strain and falling sales cloud outlook
STIP has posted a net profit of TND 4.7 million for 2025 after a year of deep losses, but the recovery is overshadowed by a sharp revenue drop, negative cash flow, and mounting liabilities that threaten the company's stability.
Libyan Airlines targets direct route revival with Syria after years of isolation
Libyan Airlines is pushing to reestablish direct flights to Syria, with aviation authorities in Damascus and Tripoli negotiating operational and security requirements. The talks signal a broader push to reconnect Syria with North Africa and Europe after years of suspended routes.
Turkish intelligence chief brokers rare Libya unity talks in Ankara
In a pivotal Ankara meeting, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin brought together Libya's rival parliamentary leaders for direct talks on unifying Libya's fractured institutions and advancing stalled elections, signaling a potential shift in the country's deadlocked political landscape.
Qatar steps into Libya power struggle with new mediation push
Qatar is intensifying its diplomatic engagement in Libya, meeting rival leaders in Tripoli and Benghazi to support a fragile UN-backed election plan. The move exposes deep institutional rifts and raises the stakes for regional influence in North Africa.
Libya targets industrial revival through international business partnerships
Libya is moving to break its reliance on oil by leveraging international business partnerships that focus on industrial capacity, supply chains and skills transfer. Major projects in steel and infrastructure are setting a new precedent for economic diversification.
Turkey courts Haftar as Libya power balance shifts toward pragmatic deals
Turkey is now engaging directly with Khalifa Haftar after years of backing his rivals, seeking to entrench its interests in both eastern and western Libya as Washington pushes for a unified government. The move signals a new phase of competitive diplomacy and economic positioning.
Tunisia's offshore banks abandon local lending as profits and purpose fade
Tunisia's non-resident banks, once intended to channel foreign capital into the domestic economy, now account for just 3.5% of sector assets and are shifting their focus abroad, with declining profits and minimal impact on local financing.
UBCI accelerates asset and profit growth in Tunisia banking sector
UBCI has posted double-digit growth in assets, loans, and deposits for H1 2026, with net profit up nearly 10 percent. The bank's expansion signals renewed confidence in Tunisia's financial sector and its role in supporting economic activity.
Libya seeks Chinese partnership for reconstruction and technology investment
Libya is actively courting Chinese investment and technical know-how to drive its reconstruction and development agenda, with a focus on water resources and artificial intelligence. High-level talks in Tripoli signal a push for deeper bilateral cooperation and concrete project delivery.
SLB commits to deeper investment in Libya oil sector partnership
SLB has declared it will not scale back in Libya and instead plans to expand investment and operations to support the National Oil Corporation's production ambitions, as NOC leadership demands concrete long term commitments amid rising competition.
UN Security Council backs Libya election deal as fragile trust tests progress
Libya's rival political blocs have struck a UN-brokered deal to overhaul the elections commission and set a two year deadline for national polls. The UN Security Council is urging rapid implementation but warns that public trust and women's participation remain at risk.
Tunisia Faces Rising Debt as Fitch Maintains B Minus Rating
Fitch Ratings has kept Tunisia's sovereign rating at B minus with a stable outlook, highlighting the country's ability to withstand external shocks but warning of persistent fiscal deficits and mounting government debt that far exceed regional peers.
Tunisian journalists rally as Mohamed Yousfi faces charges over critical reporting
The arrest of Mohamed Yousfi, editor of Al-Qatiba, has triggered protests in Tunis and drawn condemnation from rights groups, as journalists warn that fabricated charges are being used to silence critical reporting under President Kais Saied.
North Africa Bank to enable direct Alipay payments from Libya to China
Libya's North Africa Bank is set to launch a direct payment service to China via Alipay, allowing Libyan account holders to make mobile transactions for Chinese goods and services. The move signals a new phase in Libya's financial connectivity with Asia.
Libya imposes flour price ceiling to stabilise bread market
Libya has set a maximum price of 280 dinars per qintar for flour sold to bakeries, aiming to curb bread price volatility and address subsidy abuse. The move follows a summer of shortages and signals tighter state-market coordination.
Libya Faces Critical Deadlines as US Support for UN Election Deal Is Tested
Libya's rival political and security factions have signed a UN-brokered agreement to resolve the election deadlock, but the next two months will reveal whether US and international backing translates into real leverage or remains empty rhetoric.
Libya denounces Houthi strikes targeting Saudi cities
Libya has issued a forceful condemnation of Houthi attacks on multiple southwestern Saudi cities, declaring full support for Saudi Arabia's right to defend its territory and calling for stronger regional security coordination.
Libya launches crackdown on bakery subsidies after bread crisis
Libya's government is rolling out a sweeping electronic and field-based monitoring system for bakeries, aiming to end chronic bread shortages and stamp out subsidy abuse after this summer's supply crisis exposed deep flaws in the country's food security model.
Libya clamps down on currency smuggling with new import restrictions
Libya's Ministry of Economy and Trade has imposed sweeping new controls on commercial imports, aiming to halt the outflow of hard currency through fraudulent letters of credit and under-invoiced shipments. The ban on informal imports takes effect September 30.
US Africa Command launches Phoenix Express 2026 in Tunisian waters
Phoenix Express 2026 has commenced at the Port of La Goulette in Tunisia, uniting Moroccan, Tunisian, US and European naval personnel in a high-stakes exercise to sharpen maritime security operations across the southern Mediterranean.
Libya arrests sabotage cell after drone strikes hit key energy sites
Libya's UN-backed government says it has dismantled a sabotage cell accused of orchestrating a wave of drone attacks on vital oil and electricity infrastructure in Zawiya and Tripoli, arresting five suspects and warning of a broader plot targeting the country's energy sector.
Tunisia plunges to record low in global investment freedom ranking
Tunisia has fallen to 164th out of 175 countries in the 2026 Investment Freedom Index, scoring just 20 points and highlighting severe obstacles for investors as regional competitors surge ahead.
Tewassoul Demands Overhaul of Construction Oversight After Maal Tragedy
After a fatal construction collapse in Maal, the Tewassoul party is pressing for sweeping reforms to Mauritania's building oversight, demanding rigorous technical and administrative controls to prevent further loss of life and property.
Algeria Launches Half Price Rail Card as SNTF Targets Ridership Surge
Algeria's SNTF has introduced a half price rail card, slashing ticket costs by 50 percent across its network and offering flexible subscription options. The move is designed to boost passenger numbers and strengthen regional rail connections, including the Annaba Tunis route.
Al-Ittihad Forces Record Transfer for Hadj Moussa After Feyenoord Standoff
Al-Ittihad has secured Algerian international Anis Hadj Moussa from Feyenoord in a €40 million move, shattering the Dutch club's sales record and highlighting the Gulf's growing pull on North African talent. The deal awaits only a final bank guarantee.
NATO Warships Dock in Oran for Joint Exercise with Algerian Navy
Two NATO warships from Greece and Italy have docked in Oran for a three-day stopover, culminating in a PASSEX naval exercise with Algeria. The visit signals Algeria's ongoing strategy of balancing military partnerships across Europe and Russia.
Algeria targets arsonists and child abductors with new death penalty law
Algeria's government has approved a targeted death penalty for arsonists and child abductors, fast-tracked wildfire compensation, and set new priorities for rail and education. The moves signal a hardening stance on crime and a push to restore state capacity after recent crises.
Comoros launches solar power plants to cut diesel reliance
Three solar power plants with battery storage have gone live in the Comoros, targeting a 13 percent share of national electricity demand and aiming to reduce the country's near-total dependence on imported diesel. The project is financed by the UAE and operated by Global South Utilities.
Tebboune Eyes Madrid Visit as Algeria and Spain Reset Ties
Algeria and Spain are preparing for a pivotal diplomatic reset, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expected in Madrid this October. Energy exports and migration controls are at stake as both sides seek to move past years of rupture.
Oran Surges Past Algiers in Global Mobile Internet Speed Rankings
Oran has leapfrogged into the global Top 50 for mobile internet speeds, joining Algiers and placing Algeria alongside digital leaders like South Korea and the US. The country's telecom infrastructure is undergoing a rapid transformation with record-breaking gains.
