FGM: progress in Africa
Summary: huge decline since 1990 in FGM in Africa where it is most prevalent. Information about the Middle East remains scanty.
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Mauritania
Mauritania: elections
Summary: Parliamentary elections on 1 September, presidentials next year. No change likely. Slavery still an issue. Offshore gas prospects. Security in the Sahel.
The Arab League in decline
Summary: Arab League summit due this month in Riyadh, postponed till next month. Is it on the way out?
Sahel force: France obtains Saudi and UAE support
Summary: KSA and UAE money for Sahel force with troops from five sub-Saharan states backed by the UN with French leadership to fight jihadists in the Sahara.
Libya: the Qadhafi family
Summary: little sign of Qadhafi loyalism since 2011, but Libya may be reduced to clutching at straws. Where is the family now?
The row with Qatar gets worse
Summary: Saudi Arabia and its allies close land, sea and air links with Qatar. US position unclear, tempers rising. Practical consequences still to work out.
The Hajj: Iran and Saudi Arabia
Summary: Iranians to participate in the Hajj again this year, despite continuing disagreement.
FGM in the Arab world
Summary: worldwide campaign against Female Genital Mutilation. More information about FGM in the non-African Arab world.
In Anticipation of the Next Cycle of Arab Revolutions
Third chapter of new Arab Digest / Global Policy Journal e-book explores the likely implications of the Arab Springs’ counter-revolutions.
Morocco rejoins the African Union but the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic stays
Summary: Morocco’s re-admission to the African Union (AU) on Monday 30 January, 33 years since it withdrew in protest at the recognition of the SADR, is the culmination of a major effort to build relationships across the continent. And it’s mainly about outflanking Algeria on the Western Sahara.