Sofian Philip Naceur

Most recent articles by Sofian Philip Naceur

Algeria′s disillusioned majority

Desperately seeking voters

Algeria's upcoming parliamentary poll is failing to spark the interest of the populace. Few have any hope that the discredited political class will provide solutions to the country′s pervasive social malaise. At the same time, a handful of dedicated civil society campaigns are focusing on initiating change at grassroots level. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Algiers and Oran
By Sofian Philip Naceur
RLA winner Mozn Hassan on civil repression in Egypt

″Now′s the time to be creative″

Freedom of the press and freedom of assembly in Egypt have practically ceased to exist. Freedom of speech is under massive pressure – even online. Meanwhile the Egyptian regime is continuing its campaign against civil society with a new law featuring unprecedented measures to control and monitor NGOs. Sofian Philip Naceur talks to the director of the Cairo-based NGO Nazra for Feminist Studies, Mozn Hassan
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Conscientious objection in Egypt

Playing the system

Military service is obligatory for young men in Egypt. But an increasing number of people attempt to evade the compulsory service by being signed off or exempted. For those with no other option, conscientious objection remains the last resort. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Egypt's economic and fiscal crisis

Rescuing the sinking ship

Just last week, the Egyptian government and a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement about a 12 billion US-dollar loan package. Egypt hopes to restore confidence in its crippled economy and attract more investors. But is this deal the right answer for Egypt's economic problems? Sofian Philip Naceur talked to Amr Adly, a non-resident scholar of the Carnegie Middle East Center
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Where is Egypt's left heading?

"The political arena is closed"

Nearly three years after the army seized power, Egypt's regime-critical opposition finds itself with its back to the wall. Politically marginalised left-wing parties and movements are now trying to maintain their ability to act by forging close alliances. Will this really allow afford them political influence in the longer term? Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Political protests in Egypt

Sisi′s falling star

Just days after the Egyptian regime seemed capable of tolerating protests critical of its policies, the authorities clamped down massively on a new wave of demonstrations to hit the country. The security apparatus' ambivalent response to the unrest has raised questions. By Sofian Philip Naceur in Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Police co-operation with Egypt

Is Germany an "accessory to repression"?

A security agreement between Germany and Egypt is imminent, as confirmed by German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere during his Cairo visit in March. But is the Egyptian Interior Ministry, which has been held responsible for systematic torture and human rights violations, an appropriate partner for Berlin in the war against terrorism and in migration policy? By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Religion and freedom of expression

The birth of a new theocracy?

Following the Arabellion, controversial pluralistic debates on questions of morality or religion were no longer taboo in Egypt. But such discursive freedom has proved short-lived; the tide has turned. These days, the tone adopted by Egypt's regime is more highly charged with religious rhetoric than ever and the goal is clear: to wrest back control of social discourse. Meanwhile Egypt's justice system is playing along and restricting freedom of expression. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Gentrification in Egypt

Urban counter-revolution in Cairo

The "Reclaiming Downtown" campaign launched by the Egyptian government is no ordinary measure designed to advance the gentrification of the Cairo city centre. It is instead a politically motivated drive against any form of opposition and civilian autonomy. The "backyard of the revolution" is to be refurbished and its revolutionary history wiped out. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Ibrahim El Batout's film "El Ott"

"We sell people, we sell souls"

Ibrahim El Batout's new film "El Ott" is both shocking and disturbing. The gangster epic documents the harsh reality of life in Cairo's slums and tells of the trafficking of organs and humans in the Egyptian capital. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur