Tag: egypt

Culture in Crisis: Easing the Burden of COVID-19

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In Abu Dhabi the Louvre has led the way in pioneering digital offerings, creating a diverse range of ways for audiences to engage with the museum’s collections. These offerings include digital tours and talks by artists and curators. 

The museum also created a podcast that uses a sci-fi narrative to explore its futuristic architecture. In May, the museum partnered with streaming service Anghami to launch a series of playlists based on its collections. The playlists contain 20-30 songs each and have been crafted to reflect the era and region of the art presented in the associated exhibition. 

A cultural and artistic hub, Abu Dhabi has a plethora of galleries and art institutions and many have joined Abu Dhabi Louvre in offering online activities, including workshops and film screenings. As previously reported by Arabia Policy, the Sharjah Art Foundation is screening works by female Arab filmmakers throughout June for a virtual audience. 

In Morocco, the Moroccan National Foundation of Museums has mobilized to offer online virtual visits with accompanying explanatory texts to some of the country’s most famous museums. The virtual visits commenced with the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s “In Front of Picasso” collection. 

Beyond museums 

The museums in Morocco are joined by the national library, which is offering free online access to all its e-books, and the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra (OPM), which is streaming concerts on social media, in offering online access to culture and the arts. 

In Egypt, the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has launched a series of online guided tours of archaeological sites, in addition to museums. The initiative has the dual purpose of promoting tourism to foreigners and educating Egyptians on their country’s rich history. 

The tours, which are available through the ministry’s social media, include the Menna Tomb in Theban Necropolis and the tomb of Queen Meresankh III. The latter features some of the best preserved examples of burial art. Tours of more contemporary sites, including the Red Monastery, the 14th-century Mosque-Madrassa, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, are also online. 

Socially distant cultural events 

In Saudi Arabia, the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture made sure residents were able to experience the joy of Eid despite the lockdowns through a series of lockdown parades. 

Over 100,000 people enjoyed the parades, which featured traditional Saudi songs and dances such as Ardha, Sahrqi music, folk songs related to fishing and pearl diving, and Eid songs, from their balconies or windows.

As coronavirus lockdowns continue across the region, the ability to explore art and culture online or from a distance is a welcome relief for many.

Daily Nile Dam Negotiations Aim to Resolve Tensions

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For almost a decade Ethiopia has been working on the construction of the largest dam in Africa, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Construction has progressed to the point where Ethiopian authorities are preparing to start filling the dam’s giant reservoir, sparking fears of possible water shortages in Sudan and Egypt.

On Monday, June 8, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia is ready to proceed with a partial filling of the reservoir. “The dam is a project that will pull Ethiopia out of poverty,” Ahmed told lawmakers. “Ethiopia wants to develop together with others, not hurt the interests of other countries.”

However, the opinion was not shared in Egypt, a country that relies heavily on water from the Nile river, downstream from the GERD. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi released a statement on Tuesday, June 9, accusing Ethiopia of “a new tactic of stalling and shirking responsibility” and accused the country of stalling negotiations in order to start filling the reservoir.

Washington deal

“It is a hugely important and sensitive issue,” said Mirette Mabrouk, director of the Middle East Institute’s Egypt Studies program. “It’s a matter of life and death for a lot of people, certainly for more than a million Egyptians.”

The escalation of the war of words between Egyptian and Ethiopian leadership comes after Sudan and Egypt held separate meetings on February 24 where the United States, an observer in the negotiations, presented what is now called “the Washington deal.”

The United States Treasury department released a statement saying the US “believes that the work completed over the last four months has resulted in an agreement that addresses all issues in a balanced and equitable manner, taking into account the interests of the three countries,” urging Ethiopia not to commence the filling of the reservoir “without an agreement.”

Tuesday’s meeting

On Tuesday June 9, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok got Egypt and Ethiopia back to the negotiating table, joined by EU, US, and South African observers. The meeting resulted in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan agreeing to commit to daily meetings in order to ease tensions.

Ministers from the three countries spoke for five hours as Ethiopia claims sovereignty over the Nile water on its territory, while Egypt accuses Ethiopia of violating an agreement signed at the start of construction.

Ethiopia now claims the United States is overstepping its role as a mediating observer by presenting a deal to Ethiopia that was already signed by Egypt, a strategic ally of the US in the region. Sudan appears to accept much of the US proposal, which Ethiopia, in turn, objects to.

Differing opinions

Sudan and Egypt both want a “comprehensive agreement” before Ethiopian authorities start filling the reservoir, as they fear doing so would cause droughts in an already hot and dry year.

Sudan prefers the “Washington deal”, but Ethiopia rejects it because it did not take part in the February negotiations. Ethiopia also disputes the deal’s characterization that negotiations on guidelines and rules for filling the reservoir have been resolved.

For the foreseeable future, Sudanese, Egyptian and Ethiopian negotiators will now hold daily talks, with the exception of Fridays and Sundays, in order to defuse tensions where Ethiopia feels increasingly backed into a corner by powerful foreign actors aligned with Egypt. Sudan and Egypt, meanwhile, fear that the filling of the giant dam’s reservoir could worsen an already poor year for local agriculture and worsen the chance of famine and droughts in the region.

UN, GNA Respond to ‘Cairo Declaration’ on Libya Crisis

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Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi announced on Saturday a new political solution to the Libya crisis, dubbed the “Cairo Declaration.” The proposal has been welcomed by a number of Arab and Western nations but rejected by the Government of National Accord, which is instead pushing ahead with military offensives east of Tripoli.  

Libyan National Army (LNA) Chief Khalifa Haftar and Libyan House of Representatives Counselor Aguila Saleh joined el-Sisi in Cairo, and both backed the plan and agreed to a ceasefire starting on June 8. The GNA has yet to issue an official statement on the “Cairo Declaration” but in a clear rejection of the proposal, has continued to push eastwards from Tripoli, building on gains made against Haftar’s retreating forces in recent days.  

Fighting has centered on the strategic coastal town and former ISIS stronghold of Sirte but the GNA, with Turkish militia and weaponry support, is unlikely to stop there. They have the Libyan National Army (LNA) now firmly on the back foot and Libya’s oil fields in their sights.  

“Now what do you have right to the east of Sirte, you have the most strategic area of Libya,” Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui told the Associated Press (AP News). 

“You have effectively a series of oil terminals capable of exporting everyday more than 6,000 barrels a day,” he said. The oil revenue would be a boost to the UN-recognized GNA, which has been cut off from the country’s main source of wealth since the country essentially split in two and developed parallel governing structures in 2015. 

UN Responds 

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has called for all sides of the conflict to seek a political solution and immediate ceasefire, declaring “any war among Libyans is a losing war,” in a statement issued late Saturday.  

UNSMIL did not comment directly on the “Cairo Declaration,” but welcomed “calls by international and regional actors in recent days for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Libya.” 

“A political solution to Libya’s longstanding crisis remains within grasp and the Mission, as ever, stands ready to convene a fully inclusive Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process,” UNSMIL said in what appears to be a thinly-veiled swipe at el-Sisi’s announcement.

The UN also denounced the uptick in violence over recent days, noting fighting around eastern Tripoli and Tarhouna has displaced some 16,000 people. It called for an investigation into the “deeply disturbing” discovery of a number of dead bodies at a Tarhouna hospital and encouraged all conflict participants to respect the rule of law and international humanitarian law. 

“We have also received numerous reports of the looting and destruction of public and private property in Tarhuna and Alasabaa which in some cases appear to be acts of retribution and revenge that risk further fraying Libya’s social fabric,” UNSMIL added. 

Choosing Peace over Military Gains 

The Egyptian peace plan has received support from a number of Arab states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan. In the past 24 hours, Russia, the US, France, and Greece have also welcomed the Egyptian solution, while Germany and the UK have praised Haftar’s commitment to a political solution but called for all talks to be UN-led.

Despite Haftar and Saleh’s apparently genuine commitment to a ceasefire and political solution to the conflict, it seems that the GNA, led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and backed by Turkish troops and Qatari funds, is much more interested in territorial gains than sparing civilian lives or securing a peaceful future for Libya.

Sarraj has called on his troops to “continue their path,” and Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha said the GNA will not consider negotiating until it has taken Sirte and the nearby Al Jufra Airbase. With Haftar’s troops on the back foot, it remains to be seen if the GNA will show restraint and look towards a political solution or continue the bloodshed that has torn Libya apart for years. 

Read also: Egypt’s Peace Plan for Libya Gains Ground in Arab World

Arab Filmmakers Embrace Genre Films

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On June 6, Netflix began streaming Tunisian cinema’s first horror movie, “Dachra.” The film’s move to Netflix follows a highly successful cinematic release in Tunisia where the movie smashed box-office records.  

Originally released in 2018, “Dachra” follows three journalism students seeking to unravel the 20-year mystery of a woman found partially mutilated and later committed to a psychiatric facility. As the students attempt to verify claims the woman is a witch, they are drawn into a reclusive community in the woods. 

The story mixes North African folklore, including the existence of Zouhri children whose blood is believed to release hidden treasures guarded by “djinns,” with heartstopping suspense and craftful filmmaking. It is the first feature film from actor, producer, and director Abdelhamid Bouchnak. 

Embracing genre to tell Arab stories 

“Dachra” is just one of a growing number of films from the MENA region to embrace the use of genre cinema, part of an emerging trend. 

Genre is a broad term that denotes films which utilize common themes or narratives such as thrillers, comedies, or science fiction. The term is increasingly used for fantasy and horror films as well. 

The growing recognition of, and interest in Arab genre cinema by international festivals and audiences alike is shattering stereotypes of what viewers can expect from Arab cinema. The use of genres by Arab filmmakers is not new, but has typically been overlooked by international audiences in the past. 

Foreign audiences have preferred Arab content in the form of social realism and hybrid documentaries. These productions, often rich in imagery of misery and destruction, promulgate the idea of a one-dimensional war-torn and problem-riddled Middle East. 

The use of genre in film, and in particular horror and fantasy, follow the trend of dystopian imagery that has emerged as a key component in contemporary Arab literature and art in the 21st century. With an increasing number of translations available, as well as original works in French and English, Arab authors have crafted a unique Arab dystopian genre. 

Constructed from Arab experiences, the genre deviates from its Western counterpart in a number of fundamental ways. Most notably, power structures used to repress find their basis in religion or bureaucracy rather than left or right political ideologies. 

Filmmakers also draw on local influences and histories when shaping characters and storylines in horror. In “Dachra,” Bouchnak invokes the practice of ritualistic sacrifice, as it is conceived in North Africa, to craft a story distinct from its Western counterparts.

Streaming increasing demand for Arab stories 

“Dachra” follows the move of the 2017 Tunisian film “La Belle et la Muete” (The Beauty and the Dog) onto Netflix, with the streaming platform continuing to increase engagement with content from the MENA region. 

Georges Schoucair of Abbout Productions in Lebanon credits the streaming giant with increasing demand for Arab genre content and “introducing audiences to non-English language films from the region.”

In May, Netflix announced an agreement with the Tunisian-Egyptian actress and producer Hend Sabry for an original Arabic-language series to be filmed in Egypt. The comedy-drama will be female-centred and is expected to be released in 2021. 

From June 11, the Saudi Arabian series “Whispers,” a dramatic-thriller, will be available to Netflix’s 183 million subscribers in 190 countries and 20 languages. 

The MENA Preserves History, Heritage During COVID-19 Crisis

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The rich history of the MENA is an undisputed fact. The region is home to the “cradle of civilization,” where man first domesticated plants and developed writing systems, and the world’s three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 

With a plethora of archaeological and historical sites, the MENA provides valuable insights into some of the world’s oldest civilizations. 

Decades of war, political instability, and terrorism have, however, obscured the cultural and historical significance of the MENA and seen many of the region’s most important sites damaged or destroyed. 

Eager to reverse this trend and preserve historical sites, governments, international organizations, and religious groups across the region are collaborating to excavate, rebuild, and restore artefacts from across the region. 

This important work ensures that the story of man’s experience from our most ancient civilizations to the present day will be preserved for future generations. 

Restoration efforts in Iraq 

In Iraq, efforts to rebuild heritage sites take place alongside those to rebuild cities.

In Mosul and the surrounding region, ISIS destroyed museums, churches, and mosques indiscriminately during its occupation from 2014 to 2017. Among those destroyed were the 12th century Great Mosque of al-Nuri and the 19th century Our Lady of the Hour Church. 

The church is currently undergoing reconstruction in a project spearheaded by UNESCO and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who have committed over $50 million to rebuilding heritage sites in Mosul. 

UAE Minister for Culture and Knowledge Development Noura Al Kaabi highlighted the importance that historical sites have on society’s understanding of itself, explaining that “by rebuilding a fraction of the past, Iraq can shape its future as an inclusive, tolerant and open society.” 

The UNESCO and UAE collaboration will also restore the al-Nuri mosque. 

This work to restore cultural artefacts provides much-needed employment to traditional artisans and for some is part of the healing process following occupation by ISIS. As Dr. Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large at the Smithsonian Institution explains, “rehabilitating the museum can help the city rebuild its spirit and restore pride and esteem in people who were terrorized.”

In May, the Mosul Museum, Iraq’s second largest museum reopened amid the easing of coronavirus restrictions. Whilst it may be some time before the region sees much-needed tourists, the work to restore goes on. 

New discoveries in Egypt 

In Egypt, archaeologists continue to document history with the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reopening work on sites from mid-May. 

In the Bahnasah region, archaeologists on a joint Egyptian-Spanish excavation recently discovered a cemetery and eight tombs from the Roman era. The city, known at that time as Oxyrhynchus, was home to over 30,000 monks and many monasteries with earlier excavations unearthing detailed archives. 

Work also continues on the documentation and restoration of Khufu’s second ship. To date, over 1,200 pieces of the ship have been removed, digitally archived, and restored. The painstaking work is currently being undertaken in line with special coronavirus precautions that include a reduced team and daily sanitizing. 

Dating from approximately 2500 BC the ship will eventually be rebuilt at the Grand Egyptian Museum and displayed alongside the first ship. Kamal el-Mallakh discovered Khufu’s two ships in 1954 at the pyramids in Giza. 

Egypt Cracks Down on Female TikTok Stars for Alleged ‘Debauchery’

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Dance challenges, parodies, hacks, and tricks—TikTok is tapping into everyone’s creative potential and unleashing viral sensations.

Although the social media platform has been in the market for about four years now, TikTok’s popularity has soared to new heights ever since the coronavirus outbreak forced the world into quarantine and self-isolation.

UK publication the Guardian has even dubbed it “the social media sensation of lockdown.” In fact, TikTok broke a record for the most app downloads, about 315 million installs, in the first three months of 2020, according to American research firm Sensor Tower.

Introducing TikTok

TikTok is a video creation app that allows users to share videos up to 15 seconds long of singing and dancing to the backdrop of pre-recorded audio clips or songs. Users also share comedic clips on the app. 

The app is most popular among teenagers for the fun and quirky editing features it offers.

Despite its worldwide popularity, TikTok has been met with a harsh response from Egyptian authorities.

In recent months, Egypt has cracked down on female influencers using the app, accusing them of alleged “debauchery.”

Mawada Eladhm (@mawadaeladhm), who boasts 3.1 million TikTok and 1.6 million Instagram followers,  became famous for posting lip-syncing and dance videos.

Police arrested her on May 14 for allegedly “violating the Egyptian family’s values and principles” and later released after posting 20,000 Egyptian pounds ($1,261) bail.

TikTok and Instagram star Haneen Hossam (@haneenhossam9) was also detained for 15 days on April 22 pending investigations.

She caused quite a stir online after posting a video calling on young women to join “Likee,” a live streaming application, where they could broadcast videos and earn up to $3,000 per hour.

The Egyptian prosecutor general’s office said Hossam has been working with an “organized criminal group” to lure young women into carrying out acts “violating public morals.”

Before her arrest, Hossam posted a video dismissing claims she was calling for “debauchery.”

Another high-profile arrest was that of Egyptian dancer Sama el-Masry (@sama.el.masry), who police also detained for questioning on April 24 after she allegedly posted “indecent” photos and videos online.

Along with the detention of popular female TikTok stars, Egyptian authorities also detained a group of TikTok users after they defied the nationwide curfew by going out to the streets at night to film videos on the app.

In all of these instances, Egyptian authorities enforced a cybercrime law, adopted in 2018, that grants the government full authority to censor the internet and exercise communication surveillance.

Further, social media accounts with more than 5,000 followers can be classified as media outlets and therefore subject to monitoring.

Amnesty International warned the law would lead to “mass censorship and step up the assault on the right to freedom of expression in Egypt.”

 

Read also: Egypt’s Peace Plan for Libya Gains Ground in Arab World

Egypt’s Peace Plan for Libya Gains Ground in Arab World

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On Saturday evening, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi fronted the media in Cairo to announce a political solution to the Libyan civil war, dubbed the “Cairo Declaration.” El-Sisi was flanked by Libyan House of Representatives Counselor Aguila Saleh and Libyan National Army (LNA) Chief Khalifa Haftar as he outlined the bold proposal.

“There can be no stability in Libya unless peaceful means to the crisis are found that include the unity and integrity of the national institutions,” el-Sisi said on June 6.

The first step of the plan calls for the implementation of a ceasefire on June 8 and the expulsion of all foreign militia from Libya. It would also see militias disbanded and military authority handed back to the Haftar-led LNA.  

Under el-Sisi’s plan, a transitional government composed of representatives from the country’s three regions would reign for 18 months to stabilize the country, paving the way for elections. Rival, parallel parliaments have been operating in Libya’s east and west for the last five years and the Egyptian plan would see Tripoli and Tobruk reunited.  

“We warn against the insistence of any party on continuing to search for a military solution to the crisis in Libya,” el-Sisi stressed.  

The Egyptian president framed the “Cairo Declaration” as a continuation of the frameworks set out through previous rounds of UN talks, urging the United Nations to lead renewed political discussion in Geneva. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has yet to comment on the proposal.  

The UN-recognized Government of National (GNA) is also yet to comment on the political plan and was not represented at the Cairo summit. The GNA has instead pushed ahead with a military offensive to retake the coastal town of Sirte, south of Tripoli, which Haftar’s forces captured in April. 

Approximately 16, 000 civilians were displaced in 24 hours as fighting in southern Tripoli and Tarhouna intensified on June 5, the UNSMIL Libya reported on June 6. 

Arab world support, Turkish rejection 

Meanwhile, Egypt has been busy gaining regional support for its peace plan. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reached out to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, African Union Chair Moussa Faki, as well as the leaders of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Niger, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS).  

A number of Arab countries have already thrown their support behind the “Cairo Declaration;” in particular, the ceasefire. The governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE,

Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan welcomed the political plan and encouraged all sides of the Libyan conflict to negotiate a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.

Turkey, who supports the GNA with militiamen and weapons, rejected the proposal, instead claiming it was Egypt’s support for Haftar that is undermining the political process in Libya.  

“It is not surprising that those who have taken over their administration by a coup support a putschist,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said, referring to el-Sis’s rise to power.  

“Egypt’s years-long military support to putschist Haftar constitutes a clear violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” Aksoy added.

The spokesman said Turkey will continue to back “the legitimate government in Libya [GNA] and pursue relevant UN resolutions. Its ally and financial backer Qatar is yet to comment on the “Cairo Declaration.”

Read also: US Signals Potential Renewed Involvement in Libya

MENA Tourism After Coronavirus

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The coronavirus pandemic has triggered a crisis in the global tourism industry with border closures and lockdowns resulting in global air traffic falling 60.8% in April year-on-year. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is suggesting the pandemic could cost the airline industry $314 billion. 

In 2018, international arrivals to MENA destinations grew by 10% and for a number of countries, tourism is an increasingly important source of employment. In oil-based economies, such as Saudi Arabia, tourism is a key component of plans to diversify revenue streams. 2019 was an excellent year for tourism, with the region outpacing the global average in competitive growth. 

Within the MENA, countries in North Africa, most notably Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia, stand out for their high tourist numbers. In 2019, a record 13 million tourists visited Morocco, an increase of 5.2.% compared to the year before while Egypt saw an increase of 21%, welcoming just under 14 million tourists. 

The impact of coronavirus in the MENA region

Tourism represents a greater share of regional GDP than in the world’s other four travel regions (Europe and Eurasia, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Sub-Saharan Africa), highlighting the threat that shutting down travel represents to regional prosperity in the MENA. 

In the first quarter of 2020, Tunisia recorded a 27% decrease in tourism revenues. Tourism represents the second biggest contributor to the country’s GDP. When the pandemic hit, the sector was already in recovery following sustained damage in the aftermath of the 2015 terrorist attacks that targeted Sousse, a popular tourist destination. 

What will tourism look like after coronavirus? 

With summer approaching and the reopening of international borders across Europe, many are beginning to look ahead to where their next trip may take them. The novel coronavirus remains highly contagious, as new outbreaks in factories and following large gatherings continue to demonstrate, and will undoubtedly have implications on tourism for some time to come.

In May, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) issued a set of guidelines to assist the tourism sector as it emerges from the COVID-19 crisis. Central to the guidelines is the development of safety protocols. Suggestions for ensuring traveller safety include immunization certificates, mandatory testing at airports, increased frequency of cleaning, and measures to implement social distancing at airports and on planes. 

Despite the disruption of the past few months and the challenges ahead, officials in Dubai remain confident that the Emirati state will be able to attract large numbers of tourists in the near future. Citing high numbers of online activity and enquiries, officials claimed Dubai could become a “top five” tourist destination. Last month Dubai began to slowly reopen hotels and beaches while spas, pools, and children’s play areas remain closed.  

In Tunisia, industry leaders are urging officials to consider diversifying the country’s tourism offerings. The large, resort-based, all-inclusive offerings that are popular in Tunisia will be difficult to modify to COVID-19 requirements. Suggested alternatives include developing tourism for more upscale clientele with a focus on boutique hotels and personalized services. 

US Signals Potential Renewed Involvement in Libya

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The United States is considering the deployment of its Security Force Assistance Brigades to Tunisia in response to Russian activity in Libya.

The US has nominally stayed out of the conflict except for some support to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) targeting local forces it considers part of ISIS. The US military appears to be concerned over what it calls “Russian involvement” in the conflict that has seen Egypt, France, Turkey, and the UAE all support factions in the messy civil war.

Increasingly sophisticated weapons

Actors in the Libyan conflict are using increasingly sophisticated weaponry, despite a UN arms embargo that all foreign powers involved in the devastating proxy war nominally support. The recent involvement by Turkish planes and drones turned the tide of the conflict in the Tripoli government’s advantage, which Haftar’s forces are now countering with 14 Russian fighter jets.

The US has published grainy photos of jets taking off in Russia and landing in Libya’s Al Jufra Airbase, while the Libyan National Army (LNA) was less covert, proudly publishing photos of its new jets on twitter.

The inclusion of Russian MiG-29 and Su-24 will likely re-balance the conflict and perhaps draw it out even further, but a new factor has emerged as the US is considering renewed involvement.

Security Force Assistance Brigades

The US Security Force Assistance Brigades are a recent innovation of the US military. The 800-strong brigades first saw deployment in 2018 and consist of a variety of troops that train, support, and fight alongside another nation’s military. Whether the deployment in Tunisia signals increased involvement by Libya’s Western neighbor remains to be seen.

The “S-Fab” troops consist of commissioned and non-commissioned officers that have received additional training at the Military Advisor Training Academy in Fort Benning, Georgia. The s-fab’s are intended to relieve “advisory duties” from the infantry units that have increasingly performed these tasks in Iraq and Afghanistan. S-fabs were deployed in Senegal in 2020 and could soon make their first appearance in North Africa.

Entangled alliances

If the US indeed plans to counter Russian involvement, it would pit itself against its long-standing allies in Egypt, France, and the Emirates. Because of the intertwined alliances in Libya, it could mean that US forces would face incoming French missiles or fight forces supported by its key strategic partners in the Middle East.

The addition of Russian fighter jets is likely to prompt increased aerial support from Turkey. Turkish C-130 planes and drones are already active in the region but Ankara is likely to increase the presence of Turkish F-16 jet-fighters, which are from the same generation as the Russian MiG-29s.

With Turkey announcing that it will soon start to extract oil from Libyan waters, the stakes have never been higher. Libya already featured significant surface-to-air fighting with anti-aircraft batteries fighting drones, but the conflict could soon see it’s first air-to-air combat. This would prove a major escalation and further evidence that the Libyan arms embargo is an abject failure.

World Cycling Day: In 2020 A New Hero Emerges

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Around the world, bicycle sales have skyrocketed as commuters look for ways to avoid public transport and large crowds. After months of confinement, many are also seeking new ways to enjoy the outdoors. The Economist reports an increase of over 100% in bike usage in Switzerland and Philadelphia, US, and a 50% increase in bike sales across the United States as a whole in March. 

In Dubai, bike sales and hire continue  to grow as lockdown eases with the owner of Revolution Cycles Stewart Howison reporting a 120% increase in bike hire. In Tunis, bike shop owner Mehdi Thameur has recorded a 30% increase in sales since the beginning of the crisis.  

Contributing to a cleaner planet 

Globally, the decrease in vehicle usage over the past few months has contributed to a fall in pollution levels. In an attempt to make reductions in pollution and car usage permanent, governments across the world are using subsidies and expanding infrastructure to encourage citizens to embrace the bicycle. 

In Cairo, pollution has fallen over 30% during the lockdowns with  factories closed and traffic drastically reduced. In an attempt to permanently lower traffic levels, the Egyptian government is seeking to expand a bike sharing service launched in February. With the support of the UN Development Program, the Global Environment Facility and the Dutch government, the government hopes to offer all students in Egypt access to the system by 2024.  

In Tunisia, the activist group Velorution has used the pandemic to further their calls for improved cycling infrastructure in the capital. The lack of infrastructure is a major barrier to the expansion of cycling with the recent  death of group member Radhia Khaled, highlighting the dangers for those who cycle on the road.  

On their bikes to break down barriers 

More than just a means of transport, in recent years bicycles have become a tool for social change in the MENA too, with women embracing cycling as a way to break down restrictive cultural norms.  

In Cairo, the Cairo Cycling Geckos use their bikes to promote women cycling in the city. The organisation was founded by Nouran Salah in 2016, with the aim of organising group cycles for women, primarily in order to avoid harassment and  encourage more women to ride. The group now organises two rides per month with the riders combining their mission to normalize female bicycle usage with providing humanitarian assistance to some of the city’s most vulnerable. In Ramadan this year, the group distributed almost 800 food packages to the needy. 

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, cycling as a sport for women was on the rise in the region too. In January this year, Saudi Arabia hosted its first major cycling event for women with over 1000 participants taking part in the three-race series. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) estimates that 30% of cyclists in the country are women. 

 

Read also: IIF: Gulf Countries Facing Historic Economic Crisis

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