The Algerian Muslim Brotherhood calls for the continuation of the popular movement after Bouteflika’s resignation

The Movement of Society for Peace in Algeria (the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood) decided to boycott the parliamentary session held on Tuesday 9 April 2019, claiming that participation is an automatic recognition of Mr. Abdelkader Ben Saleh as head of state, “which is contrary to the people’s demands” expressed clearly in the popular movement.

The movement explained that “the resignation of the president is constitutionally final, and the parliamentary session held is a formality according to article 102 of the constitution in the case of resignation”. According to the statement, “the movement has previously clarified its stance on article 102 considering it to be a constitutional solution only if supported by the necessary political reforms guaranteeing free and fair elections and various other measures to ensure a successful democratic transition, in which the role of the military institution is restricted to escorting the political transition”.

The movement has also called for the continuation of the peaceful popular movement following the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in order to secure the rest of the demands.

Bouteflika, who took power in 1999 and has been suffering from serious health problems for years, was forced by the popular protests to withdraw his candidacy for a fifth term and to postpone the presidential elections, which were scheduled for April 18, before he resigns.

Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood proposes an initiative for national reform

On Monday, April 1 2019, the Islamist Movement in Jordan proposed an initiative for national reform that includes several proposals, foremost among them being constitutional amendments.

The Islamic Movement pointed out that “Jordan is facing critical conditions and challenges internally and externally on more than one front, while the crisis and chaos persist in the region.” And added, “internally, the political performance is complicated, the pace of reform is slowing down, the local scene is witnessing protests and movements demanding political and economic reform, fighting corruption, and ending restrictions on freedoms.”

The Islamic Movement presented a set of 10 proposals to achieve its objectives, foremost of which is “making consensual constitutional amendments to strengthen the democratic process, safeguard public freedoms and achieve further progress towards comprehensive reform.”

It has also proposed “the adoption of a parliamentary system and the development of a clear process to transit to this system, which will enshrine the general mandate of the government, hold them accountable and make them reflect the will of the people.” The proposals also included “a national plan of action to combat financial and administrative corruption through practical and deterrent procedures, a modern electoral law, and a law of parties and amend all legislations governing public freedoms”.

The Islamist Movement concluded by stressing on maintaining communication with everyone to discuss the contents of the initiative and its implementation mechanisms.

The Tunisian “Ennahda” party warns against the escalation of the situation in Libya

The Tunisian Islamist Movement “Ennahda” warned against the consequences of the military escalation in Libya that is happening in recent days, considering that this escalation might undermine the political process and cause more bloodshed.

In a statement made on Friday, April 5, 2019, the movement declared that the military escalation is a prelude to the shedding of blood of Libyans and their displacement. The escalation also undermines the peaceful political course and threatens the social and civil peace and the security and stability of the region.

The movement denounced what it has called “the negative interference of some foreign regional and international parties” in the Libyan affairs by fueling seditions and stirring up internal conflicts instead of contributing to end the crisis and protect the souls and honors of the people.

Ennahda called on the Libyans and all political parties to reject military solutions and give preference to dialogue and consensus under the internationally recognized Government of National Accord.

According to the statement, the movement also expressed its support for all forces working to distance the Libyan crisis from external interferences, seeking to build a democratic civil state and cut with all forms of domination over the will of the Libyan people.

Since last Friday, the military situation in Libya has developed significantly following the advance of the General Khalifa Haftar to the capital, Tripoli, in an attempt to capture it. However, Haftar was unsuccessful, facing resistance from the armed factions of Government of National Accord led by Fayez Sarraj.

Mauritania shuts down a cultural association close to the Islamists

On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, the Mauritanian authorities shut down the “Yadan Bi-Yad” (English: hand in hand) association affiliated with the Islamists. This is the latest in a series of shutdowns since last September. The University of Abdullah bin Yasin and the Centre for Training Islamic Scholars, both headed by the member of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Mohamed Hassan Ould Alddo, were closed, based on the claim that the sources of funding of the center and the university are suspicious and that both are linked to the “National Rally for Reform and Development”, the Islamist opposition party. These claims were denied by the two institutions.

The “Yadan Bi-Yad” association is active in the field of cultural and social work. It was preparing for the launching of its sixth edition of the “Brotherhood Season”, an annual event to promote national unity in Mauritania.

A few weeks ago, the authorities also closed the “the good” association, active in charitable work, affiliated with the Islamists.

Benkirane warns against the adoption of French in teaching

In a video broadcasted on his page on Sunday 31 March 2019, Abdelilah Benkirane, former head of the Moroccan government, warned against the adoption of French in teaching in his country.

He called on parliamentarians, especially those affiliated with the Moroccan Justice and Development Party (AKP), to challenge this law, especially that the parliament will soon adopt it as the Chamber of Deputies (the first chamber of Parliament) will soon begin the ratification procedures of this law, after it has been  postponed more than once due to disagreements among parties over the language of instruction. “We are not against teaching French to children, but this does not mean we return to the hegemony of this language,” Benkirane added. He also warned that a large number of families will find it difficult to deal with this change because they do not speak French and they don’t have the means to help their children in their studies.

At the beginning of the current academic year, the Moroccan Ministry of Education distributed a decree to teach scientific and technical subjects at the secondary level in French language.