From Sudan’s deepening humanitarian collapse and escalating jihadist violence in the Sahel, to Libya’s renewed push to position itself as a gas supplier for Europe amid major foreign investments and political shocks— explore the latest developments shaping North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel’s political, economic, and security landscapes.
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On Our Radar
The headlines shaping politics, security, and economics across North Africa and the Sahel.
REVUE CONFLITS
Mauritania: Sixty-five years of independence
The article reflects on Mauritania’s post-independence trajectory, highlighting political continuity, social tensions, and unresolved structural challenges.
REVUE CONFLITS
Sudan: After three years of war, ethnic narratives harden
As Sudan’s conflict drags on, ethnic rhetoric is increasingly shaping political discourse and deepening societal fractures.
BLOOMBERG
Morocco looks to resume $1 billion LNG project in due course
Morocco signaled plans to revive its long-delayed LNG import project as it reassesses energy security and diversification options.
OILPRICE
Algeria opens 600-mile railway to tap vast iron ore deposit
Libya is positioning itself as a future gas supplier to Europe, leveraging its reserves amid shifting global energy markets.
JEUNE AFRIQUE
Which African countries will be tomorrow’s mining leaders?
The ranking assesses emerging African mining hubs based on reserves, policy frameworks, and investment attractiveness.
AFRICANEWS
Tunisian president extends state of emergency for 11 more months
President Kais Saied prolonged emergency rule, reinforcing concerns about prolonged exceptional governance.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Ethiopia secures $400 million UK investment to expand power grid
The investment aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s electricity infrastructure, closely linked to the GERD project.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Top 10 African countries with the strongest naval fleets in 2026
The ranking compares African navies based on capabilities, fleet size, and strategic reach.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
How Africa loses over $120 billion a year to hydrocarbon imports
The article outlines the economic cost of fuel imports and the case for domestic energy production.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sudan war draws in US and UAE as UN warns of worsening crisis
The report highlights international involvement in Sudan’s conflict and growing diplomatic strains.
REUTERS
Oil majors snap up West African blocks in hunt for the next Brazil
Energy companies are accelerating exploration in West Africa, betting on large offshore discoveries.
BLOOMBERG
Morocco orders evacuation of flood-stricken historic city
Severe flooding forced evacuations in a historic Moroccan city, underscoring climate-related risks.
THE AFRICA REPORT
US–Congo minerals deals take off amid Tshisekedi visit
New agreements on copper, cobalt, and zinc reflect deepening US engagement in Congo’s mining sector.
EUOBSERVER
EU backs Morocco’s Western Sahara plan as Brussels edges closer to Rabat
European support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal continues to solidify amid geopolitical recalibration.
EUOBSERVER
North Africa key to EU–Africa trade boost, IMF chief says
IMF leadership highlighted North Africa’s strategic importance to deeper EU–Africa economic ties.
JEWISH INSIDER
US lawmakers scrutinize Polisario–Iran links
Congressional figures are examining allegations of foreign influence involving the Polisario Front.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Africa’s hard-currency debt to exceed $90 billion in 2026
Rising external debt levels are increasing financial vulnerability across the continent.
TIMES OF ISRAEL
Netanyahu reportedly warns about Egypt’s growing military power
Israeli leadership is said to be closely monitoring Egypt’s expanding military capabilities.
TRAVEL AND TOUR WORLD
Morocco among African countries facing US visa processing freeze
The freeze reflects tightening US immigration measures tied to economic and security assessments.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Top African countries absorbing the most Chinese exports
Trade data shows which African markets are most exposed to Chinese manufactured goods.
DEFENCEWEB
Morocco reportedly interested in South Korean Black Panther tanks
Morocco is exploring advanced armor purchases as part of military modernization efforts.
RFI
Libya’s Haftar sends troops to Sudan border
Haftar-aligned forces deployed near Sudan, as Egypt calls for an end to support for the RSF.
BLOOMBERG
Dubai-based firm to invest $1.6 billion in African AI farmland
The investment highlights growing interest in AI-driven agriculture across Africa.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Algeria moves to terminate air services pact with UAE
Rising diplomatic tensions prompted Algeria to reconsider aviation agreements with the UAE.
LE MONDE
Assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi risks re-polarizing Libya
The killing could reignite deep divisions across Libya’s fragmented political landscape.
AL-MONITOR
Fossil discovery repositions Morocco in human evolution research
New archaeological findings place Morocco at the center of early human history.
AL-MONITOR
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi killed in gunfight: what we know
The report outlines circumstances and implications of Saif al-Islam’s death.
MIDDLE EAST EYE
MSF says El Fasher largely destroyed and emptied
Doctors Without Borders warns that El Fasher has been devastated by fighting.
NEW YORK TIMES
Egypt and Sudan’s drone war escalates quietly
The article details covert drone activity reshaping the conflict between Sudanese factions.
REUTERS
Pakistan plans Benghazi consulate, bolstering Libya’s eastern authorities
Islamabad’s move lends diplomatic legitimacy to Libya’s eastern power centers.
REUTERS
Libya targets gas export boost to Europe by early 2030s
Libya aims to expand gas production and infrastructure to serve European demand.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Burkina Faso hits record gold output as reforms take hold
Mining reforms in Burkina Faso have helped push gold production to historic highs.
ALLAFRICA
U.S. Envoy Visits Mali to Reset Ties With Sahel States
The newly appointed head of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, Nick Checker, has visited Mali to revitalize bilateral cooperation with Bamako.
Commentaries from the North Africa, Mediterranean and the Sahel Program
Morocco: An International Legal Anchor
Dr. Leila Hanafi writes for the Stimson Center and argues that Morocco is increasingly shaping international peace efforts not through grandstanding, but through law, institutions, and follow-through. Hanafi adds that Morocco’s credibility stems from sustained respect for international legal processes, administrative continuity, and an ability to implement agreements where others falter.
The Mediterranean, North Africa, the Sahel: A Single, Strategic System?
In a new policy paper for the Stimson Center, Dr. Darioa Cristiani argues that the Sahara and Mediterranean are increasingly interlinked by security and economic dynamics and that countries in the Mediterranean can no longer afford to view these as parallel or adjacent regions.
Fragile Consensus as Africa Heads to the Polls
Stimson Center’s North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Sahel Program Director Hafed Al-Ghwell writes on how Africa’s 2026 election cycle, spanning more than a dozen countries and over 600 million voters, reflects a growing contradiction in which elections still enable genuine transfers of power in a few resilient systems but increasingly function elsewhere as managed rituals that legitimize entrenched rule amid declining participation and shrinking political space.
Reports & Analysis on the Region
Deeper dives from experts, think tanks, and research institutes.
COMMENTARY
Libya after Saif al-Islam: An uncertain future remains
This ISPI analysis examines Libya’s political uncertainty following developments surrounding Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.
COMMENTARY
Islamic State assault on Niger airport tests military rulers
This International Crisis Group commentary argues terror by Islamic State attack exposes vulnerabilities in Niger’s security posture under military rule.
COMMENTARY
Massad Boulos returns to Libya — and the questions it raises
The commentary explores the political implications of Boulos’s reemergence in Libya’s complex landscape.
COMMENTARY
The uncertain future of AGOA and US–Africa trade
This Foreign Policy article examines whether Washington can revive meaningful economic engagement with Africa.
COMMENTARY
A dubious turn in the Sahel
This Council on Foreign Relations analysis critiques recent political and security trends across the Sahel, warning of long-term instability.
POLICY PAPER
Critical Minerals & Resource Nationalism 2.0: Why the Policy is more Critical than the Mineral
The Oxford TIDE paper explores how “critical minerals” are driving a new wave of resource nationalism around the globe, including Africa.
COMMENTARY
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi: Between martyrdom and myth
This commentary examines how Saif al-Islam’s image continues to polarize Libyan society.
COMMENTARY
Tunisia: The dictatorship devours its children
The Le Point commentary argues Tunisia’s political system has turned increasingly repressive.
REPORT
ACLED regional overview: Africa, January 2026
A conflict monitoring data report by ReliefWeb shows continued high levels of violence across Africa, with the Sahel and Sudan among the most affected regions.
REPORT
North Africa: Connecting Continents, Creating Opportunities
This IMF report explores the region’s potential to serve as a hub between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East through structural reforms and deeper integration.
REPORT
Egypt country overview
IMF data outlines Egypt’s macroeconomic outlook, structural challenges, and reform trajectory amid high debt and inflation pressures.
COMMENTARY
Militarising the Sahel will not defeat terrorism
This Al Jazeera opinion argues that security-first strategies are failing in the Sahel and calls for governance, economic reform, and political inclusion.
POLICY ANALYSIS
Morocco: Gen Z protests clash with sportswashing narrative
This analysis by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre argues that young Moroccans continue protests over rights and economic pressures, even as international sporting events project an image of stability.
Upcoming Events
Key briefings and conferences to watch.
Escaping the Cycle of Conflict in Libya
The Stimson Center hosted Tim Eaton, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House, to discuss his recent policy brief, arguing an internationally mediated economic track is essential to curb rent-seeking, fragmentation, and support stabilization in Libya.
2026 IMF MENA Research Conference – “Rethinking MENA Integration in a Fast-Changing Global Environment”
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) announcement and call for papers for a research conference to be held June 29–30, 2026 at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, Morocco, inviting work on trade and financial integration, macroeconomic policy under new external shocks, digitalization, energy, and regional cooperation.
39th African Union Summit
Media accreditation is now open for the 39th AU Summit, including the Executive Council and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, taking place 11–15 February 2026 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Africa Private Sector Forum
On the margins of the 39th African Union Summit, the African Union – Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, Minerals (ETTIM) and the Africa Business Council would convene a High-Level Africa Private Sector Forum focused on the Role of the Private Sector in Realizing Agenda 2063.
Health economics in Morocco: prevention and policy
This Policy Center for the New South event focuses on strengthening Morocco’s health system through preventive policy approaches.
Tune In
Hear the latest insights from regional experts.
WEBINAR
North Africa: Connecting continents, creating opportunities
The IMF-hosted forum focuses on North Africa’s role as a bridge between regions amid trade, investment, and infrastructure shifts.
Job Opportunities
Career moves, fellowships, and calls for applications—all in one place.
St. Antony’s College
Visiting faculty announcement (Oxford, UK)
The 2026–2027 Tunisian Visiting Faculty Programme call is open for research active faculty from Tunisian universities in the humanities and social sciences.
UNICEF
Consultancy (Digital Education and Innovation) (Cairo, Egypt)
UNICEF is recruiting for a professional role supporting child-focused development programming.
Sweden Abroad
MMP 2026
Sweden launched a new call for proposals supporting EU-MENA dialogue and regional cooperation initiatives.
UNDP
Programme Coordinator (Cairo, Egypt)
National Coordinator will be responsible for the implementation of the overall work of SGP, the SGP Programme Associate/ Assistant, and the National Steering Committee at the country level.
Embassy of Belgium
Accountant (Cairo, Egypt)
The Embassy of Belgium in Cairo is recruiting a passionate, proactive, open-minded and precise individual to join our ranks in a full-time position as Administrative Collaborator – Accounting Expert.
IFC
Division Director (Cairo, Egpyt)
IFC seeks to recruit a Division Director to lead the Division of North Africa and Horn of Africa. The position will be based in Cairo, Egypt and will report to the Regional Vice President for Africa.
The Egyptian Authority for Children’s Villages
Program Manager (Cairo, Egypt)
The Egyptian Authority for Children’s Villages (SOS) – Egypt is currently looking for qualified applicants/candidates for the position of Program Manager.
