Algerians took to the streets by the thousands on Monday to mark the second anniversary of the “hirak” protest movement, pressing for overall democratic reforms as many remained unimpressed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s call for new elections and the overtures to move forward in unity. The protests remained peaceful, while…
Algerians are headed to the polls on Thursday for a presidential election postponed since April 18, but after a long year of heady highs and disappointing lows, in the end there are real questions about who will even be participating – and worse, how the country will recover from yet…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
With just two weeks before elections, protesters in Algeria showed no signs of stopping on Wednesday as stone-throwing crowds clashed with security forces using tear gas outside one candidate’s meeting site. Agence France Presse reports the presidential candidate, former prime minister Ali Benflis, held his meeting some 90 kilometers outside…
Nearly 200 prisoners associated with the Hirak political movement in Morocco’s Rif region were set for release Tuesday after King Mohammed VI granted their pardons as part of an annual Eid Al Adha tradition. The 188 prisoners were among 844 who were either slated for release, had their terms reduced…
Moroccan authorities have banned street protests commemorating the death of Mohcen Fikri, but activists have planned Saturday marches in the Rif region, Casablanca and other parts of the country. Fikri died in Al Hoceima on October 28 last year when he was crushed to death by a trash truck while…
Sunday’s referendum for an independent Catalonia, marked by protests and bloody clashes that left more than 800 people injured, expressed the deeply held aspirations of the Catalan people and a separatist movement that’s been a century in the making. Authorities say more than 2 million voters chose “yes” for independence,…
The death of a 25-year-old Moroccan activist has sparked a fresh round of protests in Al Hoceima, as well as Rabat, Casablanca and other cities that continued Wednesday night. Imad El Attabi sustained serious head injuries during July 20 protests in Al Hoceima. The march was planned to demand the…
At least 127 people have been arrested in the ongoing “hirak” protests in Al Hoceima and the wider Rif region of Morocco, including prominent activist Nasser Zafzafi who was arrested on May 29. Zafzafi was severely beaten by police following his arrest, according to an account released jointly by Human…
Nasser Zafzafi, the prominent activist of the “hirak” movement in Morocco’s restive Rif region, is due to appear in a Casablanca court on Monday. Zafzafi and 30 other protesters detained during the latest round of demonstrations spreading from Al Hoceima to other Moroccan cities will appear before Casablanca’s Criminal Chamber…
In the wake of weekend demonstrations across Morocco, the North African affiliate of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has expressed concern over the whereabouts of Mohamed El Asrihi of the Rif24 news site. The news outlet directed by El Asrihi has been shut down since Rif24 was providing coverage of the…