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
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.
Algerian Court Jails Impostor Who Posed as Prime Minister's Son
An Algerian man who impersonated the Prime Minister's son to orchestrate a high-value fraud has been sentenced to six years in prison, exposing persistent vulnerabilities in public trust and the enduring lure of privileged access in Algeria's economy.
Mauritania Deep Water Drilling Surpasses Target Depth in Tintane
Mauritania's Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation has confirmed that experimental drilling in Tintane has reached 518 meters, exceeding the original 500-meter target. This milestone marks a significant step in the country's search for deeper groundwater resources to address water scarcity.
Algeria Post Escalates Response to BaridiMob Account Hacks
A surge in sophisticated online scams targeting Edahabia cards and BaridiMob app users has forced Algérie Poste to launch a nationwide emergency protocol, demanding immediate action from customers to protect their funds and report cyberattacks.
Euro Surges on Algeria's Parallel Market as Currency Pressures Intensify
The euro has jumped to 27,700 dinars per 100 euros on Algeria's parallel market, breaking weeks of stability as dwindling summer inflows and surging demand from students and car importers squeeze currency supply and expose persistent market imbalances.
Algeria Launches Probe into Billions in Suspect Import Requests
Algeria's Ministry of Commerce has opened a sweeping investigation after thousands of small firms filed import requests worth over $130 billion, raising red flags over possible fraud and regulatory evasion in the country's trade system.
Rescue Teams Shift Tactics in Race to Save Ayoub from Deep Well
Algerian rescue teams have entered a critical phase as they attempt to reach 10-year-old Ayoub, trapped for four days at the bottom of an 80-metre well in El Bayadh. The operation now hinges on a parallel shaft after direct access proved too dangerous.
Algeria races to complete school upgrades before new academic year
With the 2026-2027 school year approaching, Algerian authorities are under pressure to deliver new and renovated educational facilities, ensure transport and meal services are operational from day one, and address persistent gaps in school infrastructure across multiple wilayas.
Mauritanian Presidential Bloc Delays Naming Supervisory Delegates for National Dialogue
Mauritania's ruling coalition and pro-presidential parties have postponed the selection of their seven representatives to the national dialogue supervisory commission, opting for further internal consultations and expanding their alliance with new party admissions.
Mauritania Faces IMF Pressure to Overhaul Public Sector Financial Data
Mauritania's finance ministry is under renewed scrutiny as the IMF pushes for a comprehensive upgrade of public institution financial data, with officials debating how to modernise collection and verification systems to meet international standards.
Benin rejects Niger destabilisation claims after military unrest in Niamey
Benin's government has forcefully denied Niger's accusations of supporting a failed rebellion in Niamey, insisting on peaceful coexistence and warning that such allegations threaten fragile progress in reopening borders and restoring bilateral ties.
Algerian Firefighters Battle Relentless Wildfires in Sétif Béjaïa and Skikda
Three major wildfires continue to burn across Sétif, Béjaïa and Skikda, forcing Algerian authorities to deploy aerial firefighting assets and mobilise nationwide solidarity efforts as local communities face mounting losses and disruption.
