Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced on Sunday that he will run for a fifth term in the April elections, state media reported. The ailing 81-year-old president last addressed his nation more than six years ago. The announcement comes after the country’s ruling party, the National Liberation Front, endorsed Bouteflika as its official presidential candidate. Read More
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took the reins as chairman of the African Union (AU) on Sunday after a leaders' meeting in Ethiopia. The post switches between regions of the continent every year. Sisi said he hoped to use the role to lead the fight against terror. "Terrorism remains a cancer that affects African nations and steals the dreams of our people and we must identify and combat those who fund terrorism activities on the continent," Sisi said on Sunday. Sisi’s appointment — the first time Egypt has held the AU’s top slot since its formation — was met with concern from human rights groups. After Sisi led a military coup in 2013, Egypt was briefly expelled from the AU. Read More
As one of the top countries of origin for foreign IS recruits, Tunisia has struggled to address domestic threats of returning jihadis and how to de-radicalize these youths.
Rabwah Times
February 9, 2019
https://www.meforum.org/57777/islamic-relief-qatar-tunisian-terror
Egypt's parliament overwhelmingly voted Thursday in favor of constitutional amendments that could allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to rule until 2034. The changes would extend the current four-year presidential term to six years and allow Sisi to serve beyond his current two-term limit. Of the 596 members of parliament, 485 voted in favor of the changes, which would also give Sisi more power to appoint judges and prosecutors. The amendments must now be reviewed by a parliamentary committee and returned to parliament for a final vote, before they are put to a national referendum. Read More
The announcement that Algeria’s ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is running for a fifth term in the country’s elections raised questions about Algerians’ readiness to endorse the man who has played a prominent role in ending the civil war.