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From the North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Sahel Program
Events, commentaries and updates from the Stimson Center.
A Conversation with the Ambassadors of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger: The Sahel at a Crossroads
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are reshaping the Sahel’s political and security landscape. Watch the Stimson Center event of a rare joint conversation with the ambassadors of all three Alliance of Sahel States members to discuss regional realignment, security, and future international engagement.
The Sino-Moroccan Green Partnership in the Shadow of the Iran War
Amanda Chen, Research Fellow at the ChinaMed Project of the Torino World Affairs Institute writes on China’s green investments in Morocco are reshaping trade, energy, and supply chain dynamics as the Iran War exposes new vulnerabilities across global markets.
Algeria as a Geopolitical Actor: Strategic Dynamics and Regional Implications
In a recent Issue Brief, Dario Cristiani, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, examines Algeria’s constrained geopolitical influence amid rising competition, internal stability, and evolving Mediterranean partnerships.
A Conversation with Ms. Amina Benkhadra: Morocco’s Energy Future and Strategic Resources
Morocco is advancing its energy and minerals sectors to strengthen security and drive the green transition. Watch Amina Benkhadra, Director General of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), explore strategy and partnerships at the Stimson Center.
On Our Radar
The headlines shaping politics, security, and economics across North Africa and the Sahel.
Al Jazeera
Niger Mutiny Puts Russia’s Expanding Role in the Sahel to the Test
Report on how junta forces regained control of Air Base 101 during the August 29 coup attempt, with the Presidential Guard remaining loyal to General Abdourahamane Tiani amid decisive Russian support.
Financial Times
Morocco in spotlight as Spanish police report sparks Ceuta blame game
Spain’s police on Wednesday denied that their investigators had blamed Morocco for a surge of migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta this summer after the claims worsened tense relations between the countries.
Associated Press
Russia Cements Its Role as Africa Junta Protector After Helping Quell Niger’s Mutiny
AP reporting on Russia Africa Corps’ decisive role in ending the Niger coup attempt, consolidating Moscow’s position as the security guarantor for the Sahel’s military governments.
Business Insider Africa
Algerian Su-30 Fighter Jets, Aerial Refueling Tanker Land in Niger as Allies Rally Behind Junta
Algeria deployed four Su-30 fighters and an Il-78 tanker to Niamey on August 30 following the coup attempt, its first foreign combat-aircraft deployment in over five decades.
Al-Monitor
How Ethiopia’s New Dams Test Egypt’s Ability to Defend Its Nile Red Lines
Analysis of how Ethiopia’s expanding dam infrastructure beyond the GERD is challenging Egypt’s ability to defend its historic Nile water rights, examining Cairo’s diplomatic and strategic options as its regional leverage weakens.
Al-Monitor
Tunisia’s Water and Power Crisis Fuels Growing Protests Against Saied: What to Know
Reporting on how Tunisia’s worsening water and electricity shortages are driving mounting public protests against President Kais Saied, examining the intersection of climate stress, infrastructure failure, and political discontent.
RFI
Niger Coup Attempt: ‘Russians Saved the Day,’ Analyst Tells RFI
French public radio interview analyzing the decisive role of external Russian support in defeating the August 29 mutiny against Niger’s junta.
The Washington Post
UN Report Details Foreign Networks Fueling War in Sudan
Reports the UN Fact-Finding Mission’s finding of a transnational supply chain spanning Colombia and the UAE, with transit points in Chad, southeastern Libya and Bosaso, arming the RSF; the war has killed at least 59,000 and displaced some 13 million.
UN News
Human Rights Chief Türk Renews Call for End to Spiralling Sudan War
At the Human Rights Council’s 63rd session, Volker Türk called for an immediate ceasefire, an end to foreign involvement, and a return to inclusive civilian rule, noting more than six million internally displaced and 4.5 million forced across Sudan’s borders.
Amnesty International
Tunisia: Upheld Convictions in Mass ‘Conspiracy Case’ a Travesty of Justice
After the Tunis Court of Cassation upheld sentences of up to 45 years against 34 defendants, Amnesty called it a devastating blow to justice following a sham trial, with the court rejecting 44 of 46 appeals.
Tunis Afrique Presse
Tunisia and Egypt Eye Stepping Up Trade and Exploring Joint Investment Opportunities
Tunisian FM Mohamed Ali Nafti met Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty in Cairo to discuss expanding bilateral trade and joint investment.
Libyan News Agency
UN Secretary-General Welcomes Signing of the Mini-Meeting Agreement in Libya
Guterres welcomed a Libyan political agreement signed on Sunday, part of ongoing efforts to advance the country’s stalled political transition.
The Libya Observer
Central Bank: Electronic Payment Transactions Reach LYD 764.9 Billion, Jan 1–Aug 31, 2026
Central Bank of Libya data showing rapid growth in digital payments through the first eight months of 2026.
The Libya Herald
Libya and South Korea Plan Economic Cooperation Forum for 2026
Libya’s Foreign Ministry prepares for a Libya-Korea economic cooperation forum scheduled for September 28.
Al-Monitor
FIFA Turmoil: Middle East Takes Center Stage as Infantino Fights to Stay in Power
Analysis of how Middle Eastern and North African football politics have become central to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s struggle to retain power, examining the region’s growing influence over global football governance.
Al-Monitor
Sudan Ramps Up Saudi Arabia, Turkey Contacts Amid Growing Red Sea Cooperation
Reports on Sudan’s intensifying diplomatic engagement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey as Red Sea security cooperation deepens, examining how the war-torn country’s external alignments are shifting amid the ongoing conflict.
Ahram Online
Egypt Expresses Support for Niger Amid Unrest, Stresses State Unity
Cairo issued a statement backing Niger’s government and emphasizing state unity following the August 29 coup attempt.
Business Insider Africa
Nigeria Just Offered an Olive Branch to Another Country It Recently Had a Dispute With
Nigeria moves to repair relations with a country it had recently clashed with, in a diplomatic gesture aimed at easing regional tensions and strengthening West African cooperation.
Business Insider Africa
Chad May Have Just Joined Two Other African Countries in Buying China’s CH-4 Combat Drones
Chad appears to have acquired Chinese CH-4 combat drones, joining other African states in deepening defense procurement ties with Beijing as Western security partnerships recede across the Sahel.
South China Morning Post
China Stands to Gain from US Visa Restrictions Targeting African Countries
Analysis arguing that Washington’s tightening of visa access for African nationals opens the door for China to expand its influence through education, business, and diplomatic outreach across the continent.
Business Insider Africa
China Backs Africa’s Strongest Military as Egypt and Ethiopia Face Off over Africa’s Nile Waters
Reports on China’s deepening defense partnership with Egypt as tensions with Ethiopia over the GERD and Nile waters escalate, reshaping the balance of power in northeast Africa.
Sahafat Bladi
The Opening of an FBI Office in Algeria Enhances Security and Military Cooperation with Washington
Reports on the establishment of an FBI office in Algeria, framed as a significant deepening of US-Algerian security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement cooperation.
Le Monde
In Egypt, the Octagon: The Army’s Oversized Headquarters and Symbol of a Power That Is Barricading Itself
Feature on Egypt’s massive new military headquarters, “the Octagon,” in the New Administrative Capital, presented as a physical symbol of the military’s entrenchment and the Sisi government’s insulation from the population.
The Africa Report
US Pressed from All Sides as Sudan Conflict Spreads Far and Wide
Analysis of the mounting diplomatic pressure on Washington as Sudan’s civil war regionalizes, drawing in Chad, Libya, and Gulf actors while US policy struggles to keep pace with the spreading conflict.
The National
African Union Commission Under Fire for Endorsing ‘Inconclusive’ Sudan Dialogue Call
Reports on criticism directed at the AU Commission for backing a Sudan dialogue initiative that critics say lacks substance and fails to address the structural drivers of the war.
APAnews
Nigerian Section of Trans-Sahara Road Project Reaches 45% Completion, Minister Says
Coverage of the Nigerian government’s update that its portion of the Trans-Saharan road project has reached 45% completion, part of the broader effort to connect Nigeria through Niger and Algeria to the Mediterranean.
Business Front
Algeria’s Sonatrach Enters Niger’s Jet A1 Market, Challenging Dangote’s Africa Fuel Dominance
Reports on Algeria’s state energy company Sonatrach entering Niger’s aviation fuel market, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Nigeria’s Dangote refinery in the contest for African downstream fuel dominance.
Agenzia Fides
Africa/Niger: Algeria Sends Fighter Jets to Niger After a Failed Military Coup
Catholic news agency Fides reports on Algeria’s deployment of fighter jets to Niger following the August 29 failed coup attempt, underscoring Algiers’ decisive intervention in support of the Niamey government.
The National
African Union Commission Under Fire for Endorsing ‘Inconclusive’ Sudan Dialogue Call
Reports on criticism of the AU Commission for backing a Sudan dialogue initiative seen as lacking substance and failing to address the war’s structural drivers.
Middle East Eye
Morocco Names New Highway in Occupied Western Sahara After Donald Trump
Reports that Morocco has named a new highway in Western Sahara after US President Donald Trump, a symbolic gesture tied to Washington’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.
Reuters
Libya Rivals Agree Roadmap for Elections Within 24 Months in UN-Led Talks
Libya’s rival factions agree to a UN-facilitated roadmap aiming to hold elections within 24 months, marking a tentative step forward in the stalled political transition despite deep uncertainty over implementation.
Al-Monitor
Russia’s Putin Hosts Saddam Hifter Amid Instability in Libya: What to Know
Reports on Vladimir Putin hosting Saddam Haftar in Moscow amid Libya’s fragile political situation, examining what the meeting signals about Russia’s evolving relationship with the Haftar family and its foothold in eastern Libya.
Agenzia Nova
Libya: 34 Italian Companies in Benghazi, Urban Focus on the Historic Center
Reports on a delegation of 34 Italian companies engaging in Benghazi’s reconstruction, with a focus on urban redevelopment of the historic center, reflecting Italy’s deepening economic engagement with eastern Libya.
The New Arab
Algeria to Jail Drug Barons in Former Desert Barracks
Reports on Algeria’s plan to convert former desert military barracks into prisons for convicted drug traffickers, part of a broader crackdown on narcotics smuggling across its southern borders.
The Guardian
Spain PM Demands Evidence from Morocco over Ceuta Border Breach
Spain’s Prime Minister presses Morocco for an explanation after a mass migrant border breach at the Ceuta enclave, escalating diplomatic tensions over migration management between Madrid and Rabat.
Reuters
Ceuta Residents Call for Calm as Spain Rallies over Enclave’s Migrant Crisis
Reports on tensions in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as residents urge calm amid nationwide rallies and political controversy over the migration crisis at the Morocco-Spain border.
ABC News
Algerians Battle Deadly Wildfires as Tebboune Seeks Death Penalty for Arsonists
Reports on Algeria’s struggle against deadly wildfires, with President Tebboune pushing for the death penalty for those convicted of deliberately setting fires amid the country’s worsening climate-driven fire seasons.
International Crisis Group
Assessing the New US Initiative for Libya
Crisis Group warns that the US-backed “Boulos plan” to merge Libya’s rival executives, reportedly by making Saddam Haftar head of the Presidential Council while keeping Dabaiba as prime minister, risks triggering violent resistance from western factions; it urges Washington not to rush a political deal and to focus first on budgetary and military unification and broader consultations.
EU Space Programme
Severe Fires Affected Europe and North Africa in July and August 2026
Copernicus Earth-observation feature documenting the severe wildfires that struck Europe and North Africa during July and August 2026, with satellite imagery mapping the scale of the burns including in Algeria.
Mixed Migration Centre
Ceuta: A Test of Europe’s New Migration Pact
Analysis using the Ceuta border crisis as a case study to assess whether the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact can effectively manage migration pressures at Europe’s African frontier.
BBC News
Two-year curfew lifted in Sudan’s capital
Sudan has lifted a two-year-old curfew and a previously declared state of emergency in Khartoum, the government’s Security Affairs Coordination Committee announced on Thursday.
Business Insider Africa
Europe’s Most Powerful Nuclear-Armed Military Is Quietly Building Its Own Security Presence in Africa
Reports on France’s continued and evolving military and security engagement in Africa despite its Sahel drawdown, examining how Paris is repositioning its presence on the continent.
The Conversation
Niger’s Failed Coup Is a Warning to the Sahel’s Military Rulers: Those with Power Must Keep Their Promises
Analysis arguing that the failed August 29 coup attempt in Niger is a cautionary signal to the Sahel’s juntas that popular and elite patience with unfulfilled promises is wearing thin, threatening their hold on power.
The New York Times
In Egypt, Xi Challenges America’s Influence in the Middle East
Reports on Xi Jinping hosting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Beijing, part of China’s broader push to expand its economic and diplomatic influence across the Middle East and North Africa.
The Defense Post
Egypt Eyes French Rafale Jets in Major Defense Deal
Reports on Egypt’s negotiations to acquire additional French Rafale fighter jets, part of Cairo’s ongoing military modernization and its balancing of Western and non-Western defense suppliers.
Reuters
Egypt Welcomes Xi as Beijing Expands Influence in the Middle East
Coverage of Egypt hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping, examining how Cairo is deepening ties with Beijing on trade, infrastructure, and investment amid shifting global alignments.
APAnews
Libya: ENI Denies Requesting Increase in Gas Deliveries
Reports that Italian energy company ENI has denied requesting an increase in gas deliveries from Libya, amid speculation about European efforts to secure additional North African gas supplies following the Hormuz disruption.
Reports & Analysis on the Region
Deeper dives from experts, think tanks, and research institutes.
COMMENTARY
How the ‘climate table’ is the new peace table
Stimson Center North Africa, Mediterranean and the Sahel Program Advisor and Director Emeritus Hafed Al Ghwell argues hat climate-driven resource scarcity is becoming a driver of conflict and governance failure in Africa, allowing armed groups to gain legitimacy by controlling water, land, food, and markets, and therefore calls for climate adaptation and resource governance to become central to peace and security strategies.
COMMENTARY
Should Egypt Join the Mecca Pact?
Chatham House analysis examining the strategic calculations behind whether Egypt should join the Mecca Pact defense arrangement, weighing the implications for Cairo’s relationships with Gulf states, its regional posture, and its strategic autonomy.
REPORT
AEI assessment of Russia’s “regime survival package” in Niger, Algeria’s unusual military intervention, and the growing regionalization of Sudan’s war.
COMMENTARY
Algeria: ICITAP-Driven Anti-Money-Laundering Reforms Drive Algeria off the FATF Grey List
DOJ blog detailing how ICITAP-supported anti-money-laundering reforms helped Algeria exit the Financial Action Task Force grey list, marking a milestone in US-Algeria legal and financial cooperation.
COMMENTARY
China’s Xi Seeks Trade Routes via Egypt and Central Asia to Bypass Tariffs and Western Rules
Analysis of Xi Jinping’s push to develop alternative trade corridors through Egypt and Central Asia to circumvent US tariffs and Western-dominated trade frameworks, with Egypt positioned as a key Mediterranean gateway.
COMMENTARY
Benign or Malign? Reasons for the Rise in Long-Term U.S. Interest Rates
Opinion piece by Marcus Vinicius de Freitas analyzing the drivers of rising long-term US interest rates and their global implications, published September 3.
COMMENTARY
Critical Minerals Need Secure Supply Chains That Increasingly Depend on Responsible Production
Chatham House analysis arguing that securing critical mineral supply chains requires responsible production standards, with implications for African producers in the Sahel and DRC navigating between Western and Chinese demand.
COMMENTARY
Climate of Concern: The Changing Face of Social Movements in North Africa
ECFR analysis examining how climate stress, water scarcity, and environmental degradation are reshaping social movements and protest dynamics across North Africa.
POLICY ANALYSIS
Mauritania’s New Investment Code (2025)
IFC analysis of Mauritania’s new investment code, examining how the reforms aim to attract foreign investment, improve the business climate, and position the country as an emerging energy and mining hub.
COMMENTARY
Morocco’s Attempt to Rebrand Western Sahara
Analysis of Morocco’s diplomatic and symbolic efforts to consolidate its claim over Western Sahara, including infrastructure projects and international outreach designed to normalize its control.
COMMENTARY
Sudan Remains the Most Under-Reported Foreign Policy Crisis
Eurasia Review Opinion piece arguing that Sudan’s catastrophic civil war continues to receive disproportionately little international media and policy attention despite its massive humanitarian toll and regional spillover.
REPORT
China’s Expanding Military Reach in Africa
Africa Center analysis documenting the expansion of China’s military footprint across Africa, including arms sales, base access, and defense partnerships, and the strategic implications for the continent.
POLICY ANALYSIS
Europe, Mauritania and the Gulf states: Securing stability and growth in the Sahel
ECFR analysis on how Mauritania is a vital buffer against Sahelian instability and a central partner for Europe’s energy and migration policies. As Gulf Arab influence grows, the EU’s Pact for the Mediterranean can align trilateral financial and security interests.
REPORT
Sudan, September 2026 Monthly Forecast
Security Council Report Flags the September 12 expiry of the Sudan sanctions regime and the expected Council vote on renewal; the Panel of Experts mandate expires October 12.
REPORT
UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan Documents a transnational chain of networks supplying the RSF with foreign personnel, training, weapons and logistics, citing RSF drone strikes in South Kordofan that killed 114 including 60 children and SAF attacks on a Sudanese teaching hospital that killed at least 70.
REPORT
Evaluation of United Nations System Coordination in the Sahel (2013–2025)
UNSDG evaluation assessing the effectiveness of UN system coordination in the Sahel over more than a decade, examining lessons learned and recommendations for improving integrated humanitarian, development, and peace efforts.
REPORT
SIPRI research report examining the structural barriers to integrating Sudanese refugees in Chad, focusing on access to education, employment, and land, and offering policy recommendations for durable solutions.
REPORT
WFP Mauritania Country Brief, August 2026
WFP’s monthly operational brief on Mauritania, documenting food security conditions, refugee assistance for Malian refugees at Mbera camp, and nutrition programming across the country.
REPORT
Bangladeshi Migration to Italy Through Libya
Research report tracing the migration route of Bangladeshi nationals to Italy via Libya, examining the smuggling networks, exploitation risks, and policy implications for Mediterranean migration governance.
Upcoming Events
Key briefings and conferences to watch.
Atlantic Council
2026 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics
December 11, 2026 — The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual flagship convening focused on issues at the nexus of economics, finance, foreign policy, and national security.
Policy Center for the New South
Policy Center for the New South event during the window for September 16–19, focusing on Mediterranean energy cooperation and delivery.
CSIS
The Future of US-Africa Minerals Diplomacy
CSIS event on September 18 examining the trajectory of US critical-minerals engagement with Africa, including the Sahel’s lithium and uranium resources, and how Washington is competing with China and Russia for access.
Chatham House
How Will Young Voters Shape Morocco’s Political Future?
Chatham House event examining the role of Morocco’s youth electorate in shaping the country’s political trajectory, addressing generational change, political participation, and the demands of a young population amid economic and social pressures.
Tune In
Hear the latest insights from regional experts.
PODCAST
The Objective podcast episode in which Beatriz de León Cobo analyzes jihadist expansion from Mali into coastal West Africa, published September 7.
PODCAST
Policy Center for the New South podcast explores the central role of human capital in Africa’s economic transformation amid rapid population growth and a youthful demographic.
PODCAST
Reflections on a Diplomatic Career in the Middle East: A Conversation with Ambassador Yael Lempert
MEI podcast featuring a conversation with Ambassador Yael Lempert reflecting on her diplomatic career in the Middle East, offering insights into US foreign policy, regional diplomacy, and the evolving strategic landscape.
PODCAST
Food Security in a Hotter, Drier North Africa
MEI podcast examining the mounting food security challenges facing North Africa as climate change drives higher temperatures and reduced water availability, exploring the implications for agriculture, imports, and regional stability.
VIDEO REPORT
How the Sudan War Risks Fracturing Chad
ICG video with Senior Analyst Charles Bouëssel on how the spillover from Sudan’s civil war threatens to destabilize neighboring Chad.
VIDEO REPORT
Can International Diplomacy Find a Way Forward in Libya?
Al Jazeera Inside Story panel examining whether international diplomatic efforts, including the US-backed Boulos initiative and UN-led process, can break Libya’s political deadlock and advance reunification.
PODCAST
Securing North Africa’s Future: Geopolitical Dynamics, Regional Stability and Strategic Autonomy
PCNS podcast examining North Africa’s evolving geopolitical landscape, regional stability challenges, and the pursuit of strategic autonomy amid great-power competition and Sahel instability.
Job Opportunities
UNICEF
Chief (Cash Transfers), P-5, Port Sudan, Sudan
Senior role leading UNICEF’s cash transfer programming in Sudan with a September 11 deadline.
Stimson Center
Senior Fellow and Director, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel
Stimson Center seeks an individual to serve as Senior Fellow and Director of the North Africa, Mediterranean and the Sahel program.
Community Adaptation for a Water Festival Without Clean Water