Bruce Maddy
Bruce Maddy
30 articlesEditor
Maghreb politics and identity contributor
Bruce Maddy covers Morocco, Algeria, Amazigh politics, Western Sahara and questions of political identity across the Maghreb. His work focuses on how institutions, regional rivalries and relationships between states and communities shape political change across North Africa.
30 latest articles by Bruce Maddy
Greece and Denmark back Morocco autonomy plan for Western Sahara
Greece and Denmark have publicly endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, aligning with UN Resolution 2797 and the EU position. Their stance signals a shift in European consensus and opens new channels for economic cooperation with Rabat.
Algeria deploys military power to secure Niger border after coup threat
Algeria has escalated its military involvement in Niger, deploying fighter jets and helicopters to support the junta after a failed coup attempt. The move signals a shift in Algiers' Sahel strategy and raises the stakes for regional security and energy infrastructure.
UN faces pressure to halt resource-driven transformation in Western Sahara
Western Sahara Resource Watch is urging the UN to intervene as Morocco's exploitation of Western Sahara's fisheries, phosphates and renewables accelerates, warning that unchecked economic development risks locking in realities before self-determination is achieved.
Morocco secures Synhelion synthetic fuel plant in Tan-Tan
Morocco has landed a major clean-energy investment as Synhelion signs a deal to build a synthetic fuel plant in Tan-Tan, aiming for 100000 tonnes of renewable fuel annually and positioning the country as a regional green industry hub.
Azerbaijan and Algeria set 2027 for high-stakes energy and trade summit
Azerbaijan and Algeria have locked in early 2027 for their inaugural joint commission meeting in Baku, aiming to formalize expanding energy, trade, and technical ties. The move signals a calculated push to leverage OPEC+ alignment and deepen state company partnerships.
Morocco's crackdown on philosophy reshaped education and empowered Islamists
Morocco's campaign to suppress philosophy education under Hassan II fundamentally altered the country's intellectual landscape, clearing the way for conservative and Islamist dominance in schools and leaving a legacy that continues to shape Moroccan society.
Algeria China Trade Surges as Direct Air Link to Shanghai Announced
Algeria and China have recorded $9 billion in trade in just six months of 2024, a 28% jump over last year. The imminent launch of a direct Algiers-Shanghai air route signals intensifying economic and strategic cooperation.
Indian Exporters Target New Sectors in Algeria as Trade Diversifies
Indian exports to Algeria are rapidly expanding beyond traditional goods, with engineering, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food products now leading the charge. This shift is opening new commercial opportunities for Indian businesses seeking a foothold in North Africa's evolving markets.
Algeria redraws its security map with fighter jet deployment in Niger
Algeria's unprecedented deployment of Su-30 jets to Niger marks a decisive shift in its security doctrine, linking military presence to energy investments and signaling that instability in the Sahel now falls within Algiers's strategic perimeter.
Moroccan Startup One Med Link Targets Hospital Data Bottlenecks with AI Platform
One Med Link is rolling out an AI-powered platform designed to streamline clinical workflows and structure health data in Moroccan hospitals, aiming to address inefficiencies and underrepresentation of African data in global medical research.
Julyana Free Zone Port sets new record for vessel arrivals in August
Julyana Free Zone Port registered its highest monthly vessel traffic in August, handling 93 commercial ships across diverse cargo types. The surge signals a shift in regional trade flows and growing confidence among shipping operators and merchants.
Libyan Government Uncovers Coordinated Drone Plot Against Energy Infrastructure
Libya's Tripoli-based government has dismantled a sabotage cell behind suicide-drone attacks on oil and power facilities, exposing a coordinated campaign targeting the country's critical energy infrastructure during a period of acute service pressure.
Spanish and Libyan Chambers Drive Direct Business Engagement in Tripoli
Spanish and Libyan business leaders are accelerating commercial ties with a multisector mission in Tripoli, leveraging direct air connectivity and targeted B2B meetings to unlock new trade and investment opportunities across food, tobacco, and electrical sectors.
Harouge Oil Operations lifts output with new Amal Field well
Harouge Oil Operations has brought its B79A replacement well online at the Amal Field in Libya, adding 2000 barrels per day to production as part of a targeted 2026 capacity expansion. The move signals renewed momentum in Libya's oil sector.
US Business Delegation Defies Travel Warning to Pursue Libya Projects
American executives landed in Benghazi for the Libyan-American Development and Reconstruction Forum, pushing for concrete partnerships and project launches even as the US State Department maintains its highest-level travel warning for Libya.
Libyan Health Union Warns of Talent Exodus Over Foreign Recruitment
The Health Sector Movement Union has escalated its protest against the Tripoli government's decision to hire 200 Syrian medical professionals on high US dollar salaries, warning this move could accelerate the loss of Libyan healthcare talent and further destabilize the sector.
Emergency Security Response at Janzour Fuel Depot After Drone Remnants Found
Libya's Janzour Fuel Depot has entered a state of emergency after suspected drone-related fibre-optic remnants were discovered on site. Security has been reinforced and special forces deployed, raising concerns over the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure.
Benghazi University returns as Libya reopens flagship campus
Benghazi University has reopened after a major reconstruction led by the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, marking a rare institutional revival in a city scarred by years of conflict and war-related destruction.
UN Assembly Overhauls World Map to Reflect True African Scale
The UN General Assembly has voted to replace the centuries-old Mercator map with a projection that accurately represents Africa's true landmass, with only the United States opposing the move and six countries abstaining. The decision, driven by African Union members, aims to correct longstanding distortions in global cartography.
Zawia Power Station Restores Power to Libya After Months of Blackouts
Libya's Zawia Combined-Cycle Power Plant has reconnected its third unit, adding 150 MW to the national grid after months of delays caused by armed attacks and technical setbacks. The move comes amid severe blackouts, public unrest, and sweeping changes at GECOL's leadership.
Japanese Parliamentary Delegation eyes Libya visit for energy summit
Japan's Libyan-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association is weighing a visit to Libya to coincide with the Libya Energy and Economic Summit in January 2027, signaling renewed Japanese interest in Libya's energy and economic sectors.
Libya and South Korea set date for economic forum in Tripoli
Libya and South Korea have locked in 28 September 2026 for a major economic cooperation forum in Tripoli, with officials now pushing for visa exemptions and direct business meetings to accelerate investment and trade between the two countries.
Libya's National Oil Corporation Drains Fuel Tanks After Drone Strike
A drone attack on the National Oil Corporation's Brega Airport Road Fuel Depot has forced emergency measures, with fuel tanks being emptied to prevent disaster. The incident exposes the acute vulnerability of Libya's energy infrastructure.
Libya's E-Payment Surge: LD 765 Billion in Digital Transactions Reshapes Banking
Libya's banking sector processed nearly LD 765 billion in electronic payments in just eight months of 2026, as the Central Bank pushes for digital transformation and tighter oversight amid liquidity and currency access challenges.
Libya Closes 490 Petrol Stations in Crackdown on Fuel Smuggling
Libya's Interior Ministry has shuttered nearly 500 petrol stations accused of fueling the black market, as the government scrambles to contain a deepening fuel crisis that has left citizens facing long queues and soaring diesel prices.
Drone Crash at Tripoli Fuel Depot Raises Security Fears, No Disruption
A drone crashed near Tripoli's Airport Road Fuel Depot, narrowly missing fuel tanks and causing no injuries or fire. The incident follows recent drone attacks on Zawia's oil infrastructure, intensifying concerns over the security of Libya's critical energy assets.
Libya Secures Japanese Health Technology and Training in Landmark Deal
Libya has signed its first health sector cooperation memorandum with Japan, unlocking access to advanced Japanese medical technology, training, and institutional expertise. The agreement signals a strategic push to modernize Libya's struggling healthcare system through international partnerships.
Tripoli Chamber Targets Spanish Investment Surge with B2B Push
Libya's Tripoli Chamber of Commerce is set to host targeted B2B meetings with Spanish firms, aiming to unlock new investment in food, cleaning, tobacco, and electrical sectors-signaling a calculated move to diversify Libya's economic partnerships.
Tunisia and Germany Seek Reset on Economic and Education Ties
President Kais Saied used a high-profile meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to demand a fundamental overhaul of Tunisia's economic relationship with Europe, calling for fairer agreements and a shift from debt to investment.
Blue Economy Strategy Moves Forward as Minister Reviews Priority Projects
Morocco's Planning Minister Mohammed Al-Zaidani has accelerated the review of priority blue economy projects, aiming to align national marine resource development with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and unlock new economic sectors.
