Anti-government protesters in Morocco staged a mass rally in Casablanca on Sunday, the biggest demonstration since an Islamist-led government took office in January. The government is accused of failing to act on its promise of social justice.
Moroccan fishermen oppose a deal which could force them to compete with European boats in their own back yard. French firm Amesys is accused of helping the Gaddafi regime spy on Libyan civilians. More than a year after the Tunisian revolution, the race is on to lure tourists back to the former holiday-makers’ hotspot.
Journalism students in Lille launch an application that checks up on François Hollande's campaign promises, ticking or crossing them off as he gets down to work. With parliamentary elections looming we also take a look at some of the smaller candidates. Finally, the North African media is buzzing with the suggestion that Nicolas Sarkozy is holidaying courtesy of the Moroccan king.
In Algeria, the government holds strong despite the tumult elsewhere in the region. However, some people are still suffering many of the grievances that sparked the Arab Spring. Our team went to meet young people struggling to find a job. Meanwhile, an NGO hits out at NATO over civilian deaths from air strikes during the conflict in Libya. Finally, could high speed rail be going off track in Morocco? Critics say a plan to bring TGV-style trains to the country is a waste of money.
In Algeria, President Bouteflika is hoping that parliamentary elections will satisfy calls for change, but many voters still feel left out of the political process. In Tunisia, numbers are down at an annual Jewish festival because of security concerns, but hundreds brave the risks anyway. Finally, rural Moroccan craftswomen get a chance to show off their wares at a fashion show with a difference.
In Algeria, the town of Jijel erupts into violence as angry youths clash with police after a shopkeeper sets himself on fire. In Tunisia, a TV chief on trial for blasphemy is fined - media rights activists say that sends the wrong message, while Islamist hardliners say it does not go far enough. Finally, in Morocco, authorities warn young people turning to informal Urfi marriages that without legal recognition, things can go badly wrong.
In Morocco, media bosses warn that their freedoms are threatened by new rules that will make state television more overtly religious. Elsewhere in the country, call centre workers say they won't be going back to work until conditions improve. Finally, Libya greases the wheels on plans to get oil production back up to pre-revolution levels.
In Algeria, an army of parliamentary hopefuls sign up as campaigning kicks off ahead of May 10th elections. Some worry that the candidates’ enthusiastic participation won’t be matched by voters. Next, the legal tug of war continues between the International criminal court and Libya over who should try Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.
Thousands bid goodbye to the “father of Algeria”, former President Ahmed Ben Bella, who died aged 95. Next, Tunisia's President makes a symbolic gesture to the Jewish community, paying homage for the first time to victims of a terrorist attack on a synagogue 10 years ago. In Mali, those escaping instability find harsh conditions in drought-stricken neighbouring countries. Finally, some feel Morocco's new Islamic leaders are infringing on artists' creative expression.
Libya is still facing violence as tribal clashes undermine the country’s fledgling democracy. In Morocco, women's rights activists continue to pile pressure on the government to do away with laws that led to the suicide of a teen forced to marry her rapist. And hundreds of Moroccans working onboard an impounded ship in France anxiously await their fate.
