North Africa

Chavez, hero of the Arab world

Sophie Team Observers — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:24:56 +0100

Go to a pro-Palestine demonstration in North Africa or the Middle East, and chances are you'll see a Hugo Chavez poster bobbing above the crowds. In Lebanon, the authorities have even named a street after him.

Chavez's anti-American ramblings have always found a ready audience in the Arab world. But since the Venezuelan leader referred to Israel's operation in Gaza as "genocide" and expelled the Jewish state's ambassador from Caracas, his popularity has soared even higher.

Sarkozy in Tunisia: "As far as human rights go, he's worse than Chirac"

Julien — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:34:46 +0200

Poster of Ben Ali. Photo: "Eikizilla"

Nicolas Sarkozy is on a three-day trip to Tunisia. A former Tunisian judge, suspended for having criticised his president and now under constant police watch, deplores the French head of state for turning a blind eye to the corruption and authoritarianism Ben Ali's "clan".

Mokhtar Yahyaoui is a former Tunisian judge. In 2001 he drafted a public letter to president Ben Ali condemning the lack of independence of Tunisian magistrates. A few days later, he was suspended and has since been living under police surveillance.

Sarkozy's visit in Tunisia has had a concrete effect on me - my internet connection has been cut. I can't update my online journal, Tunisia Watch, which is already censured in Tunisia, but brings in quite a crowd from outside the country (1000 visits per day). I think it's because the authorities don't want me to raise embarrassing affairs, like the international arrest warrants issued for two members of Ben Ali's family [France issued an international arrest warrant for Imad Trabelsi, nephew of the president's wife, for buying a yacht that had been stolen from a French businessman].

I don't expect anything good to come out of Sarkozy's visit. I think that as far as human rights go, his policies are even worse than Chirac's. Chirac never criticised Ben Ali, but he did keep his distance. After reading an interview with the new French president in one of Tunisia's dailies Al Chourouk, we can only fear the worse. The paper headlined the article "I am coming to express my support and respect for Ben Ali". I would have preferred him to express his support for the Tunisian people rather than their dictator. It's obvious that Tunisia is an essential country for the Sarkozian diplomacy. The French president has already visited Ben Ali twice in one year. However it's not like presidents are in a hurry to come here... the other European heads of state never do.

The reason for the visit is vague. He talks about a "Mediterranean Union". But there are already very strong links between Europe and Tunisia. Our country maintains 70% of our commercial trade with European countries. There's a stronger need for us to develop trade with other north African countries. But France isn't interested in that. The French foreign affairs policy is to continue supporting the authoritarian regimes in the area, in Libya and Egypt, by passing through Tunisia and Morocco, for economic and geopolitical reasons (fighting terrorism etc).

France is ready to abandon its beliefs in democracy and human rights for personal interests. It supports dictators and turns a blind eye to the corruption of these regimes. I can't speak too directly, because I'm being spied on. But French diplomats know that economic agreements singed by France directly profit the president's clan."

Sarkozy in Tunisia: As far as human rights go, he’s even worse than Chirac

Julien — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:30:05 +0200

The Lions of Cameroon are simply on fire

Julien — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:24:55 +0100

Wow! I just finished watching the Cameroon - Tunisia match and I must say that Cameroon is a very hungry team. They took the 4-2 result from Egypt not as a defeat, but as a chance to rebuild and re-assess their team. The Lions of Cameroon are simply on fire now and are one of the favourites to reach the finals.

Meanwhile the Black Stars of Ghana are fresh from their 2-1 win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria. That match was truly like a final game. Such passion, such flare and such emotion from the West African rivals. Today has confirmed that Cameroon and Ghana will play each other in the semi finals. I'm a Black Stars fan, and I think that in order for Ghana to come out victorious they mustn't leave the Cameroonians any space. As the opportunists that they are, they would exploit it to the fullest! The Ghanaians must be weary of the Cameroonians’ free kicks, because as seen by the game with Tunisia, they’re great at free kicks. Also the Cameroonian team is very physical so the Black Stars have to take note of that.

The Black Stars have a very solid defence. They’ve only let in two goals so far compared with Cameroon’s seven. In conclusion, I have to say that the Ghana - Cameroon match will be very physical and I see the Black Stars winning this game 2-1."