From the Islamic State claiming attacks in Niger and Mali and tightening its grip on the mineral sector, to Libya receiving investments from Swiss and Qatari firms— 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.
AL JAZEERA
Sudan’s war displacement crisis peaks as millions consider returning to destroyed homes
Sudan has become the world’s largest displacement crisis, with millions weighing risky returns to areas devastated by fighting, infrastructure collapse, and insecurity.
REUTERS
Sustained gunfire and loud blasts heard in Niger’s capital
Residents of Niamey reported heavy gunfire and explosions, underscoring growing instability and uncertainty around security conditions in Niger.
REUTERS
Burkina Faso military government dissolves political parties
The junta formally dismantled political parties, marking a decisive break from multiparty politics and consolidating military rule.
MINING.COM
Algeria opens 600-mile railway to tap vast iron ore deposit
Algeria inaugurated a major rail project aimed at unlocking iron ore reserves and diversifying its hydrocarbon-dependent economy.
REUTERS
Libya signs 25-year oil deal with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips
Libya finalized a long-term energy agreement expected to bring over $20 billion in investment, signaling renewed momentum in its oil sector.
ANDALOU AGENCY
Libya’s eastern forces regain control of Niger border crossing
Eastern Libyan forces retook a strategic border post with Niger, highlighting ongoing security competition across Libya’s southern frontier.
THE GUARDIAN
Islamic State claims attack on Niger airport and airbase
An Islamic State affiliate said it carried out a major attack near Niger’s capital, raising concerns about escalating jihadist capabilities.
NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL
Central Sahel children receive trauma support, but scale-up needed
Aid groups warn that psychosocial support for children affected by violence remains far below what is needed.
THE NATIONAL
Libya grapples with disastrous finances despite oil boom
Despite high oil revenues, Libya’s public finances remain fragile due to mismanagement, political division, and weak institutions.
OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Mauritania’s human rights record to be examined under UPR
The UN will review Mauritania’s human rights performance, including issues related to slavery, political freedoms, and civil rights.
ADF MAGAZINE
Mauritania receives US military equipment
The delivery highlights deepening security cooperation between Washington and Nouakchott amid Sahel instability.
ALLAFRICA
African conflicts to watch in 2026
Analysts identify flashpoints likely to shape Africa’s security landscape, including Sudan, the Sahel, and eastern Congo.
ALLAFRICA
Guinea worm disease reaches new milestone
Public health efforts continue to push the disease toward eradication, though conflict zones remain challenging.
REUTERS
Mali takes 51% stake in China-backed explosives venture
The Malian state increased control over a strategic mining-related enterprise, reinforcing resource nationalism trends.
REUTERS
Mali’s president tightens control over key mining sector
New measures place mining oversight directly under the presidency, signaling greater state intervention.
REUTERS
Morocco deploys army to evacuate thousands after floods
Severe flooding prompted military involvement in emergency evacuations, highlighting climate-related risks.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
African countries with the highest Chinese loan exposure
The analysis ranks African borrowers most exposed to Chinese lending over the past two decades.
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
EU-Morocco joint statement following Association Council
Brussels and Rabat reaffirmed cooperation on trade, migration, and regional stability.
NORTH AFRICA POST
Morocco’s dam reserves rise to 45% after heavy rains
Improved rainfall boosted water reserves, easing pressure after prolonged drought.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Nigeria unveils $25 billion electricity reform plan
The government outlined an ambitious plan to address chronic power shortages.
THE GUARDIAN
Young Africans increasingly stepping into leadership roles
Demographic trends show a growing role for youth leadership across the continent.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
US returns to Africa with investment-first strategy
Washington is shifting toward commercial engagement as competition for influence intensifies.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
UAE transfers fighter jets to African nations
The article explores how Gulf military support intersects with European decision-making.
AL-MONITOR
Qatari and Swiss firms invest $2.7B in Misrata port
The investment aims to turn Misrata into a major Mediterranean logistics hub.
THE AFRICA REPORT
How US crackdowns push criminal cartels into Africa
Tighter enforcement elsewhere is redirecting transnational criminal networks toward Africa.
THE AFRICA REPORT
Congress debates Rwanda sanctions as Congo file escalates
US lawmakers are weighing tougher measures amid regional tensions.
BLOOMBERG
Senegal and Morocco sign cooperation deals after football fallout
Diplomatic ties were reaffirmed following tensions linked to sporting events.
BLOOMBERG
Libya moves ahead with oil capacity expansion deal
The agreement reinforces Libya’s push to boost output and stabilize revenues.
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.
When Fireworks Replace Reality in Libya
Libya Expert Tahani Elmogrbi argues in North Africa Insights that Tripoli’s lavish stability spectacle masks Libya’s inflation, collapsing services, and governance failures, exposing development as performance rather than lived reality.
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
Why Algeria Is a Crucial Pillar of North African Security
A Middle East Eye analysis of Algeria’s strategic role in regional stability, counterterrorism, and diplomacy.
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
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.
COMMENTARY
Direct line with Washington: North Africa, Maghreb, and the US
This Nigrizia piece examines evolving US engagement with North Africa amid global strategic competition.
COMMENTARY
Pakistan’s role in Sudan and regional security shifts
This Washington Institute analysis explores emerging security alignments beyond traditional Western actors.
REPORT
Migration governance ten years on
This Africa Center for Strategic Studies report assesses migration management trends and security implications.
COMMENTARY
Egyptian diplomacy white paper discussed
This post by Issam Eddine Gammoudi highlights debate around Egypt’s evolving foreign policy framework.
POLICY ANALYSIS
The Middle East’s promising Gen Z
This analysis by Carnegie Endowment argues youth demographics could reshape politics and economies if inclusion and opportunity expand.
COMMENTARY
Benin’s battle against militant groups
This Africa Center analysis tracks militant expansion risks along Benin’s northern border.
COMMENTARY
China-Africa critical minerals spotlight
This Africa Center for Strategic Studies piece examines Beijing’s growing influence in strategic mineral supply chains.
Upcoming Events
Key briefings and conferences to watch.
Escaping the Cycle of Conflict in Libya
Stimson Center is hosting 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.
International Conference on African Research
This conference in Rabat, Morocco between July 6-11 will convene scholars and practitioners to discuss Africa-focused research and policy.
Mining Series 2026
These series of panels between 9-11 February will explore how emerging technologies can set new standards for traceability, sustainability and competitiveness in African mining, and why this matters for investors, operators and policymakers alike.
Tune In
Hear the latest insights from regional experts.
PODCAST
Sahel nations unite to battle extremism
On this edition of DW’s AfricaLink podcast, host Adwoa Tenkoramaa Domena speaks with security analyst Adib Saani and DW Sahel correspondent Bram Posthumous to unpack what this new force means for the Sahel — and whether it can deliver real change.
WEBINAR
Is the MENA region stabilizing or spiralling?
In this Chatham House event, experts examined the key political, security, and economic dynamics to watch in MENA in 2026.
VIDEO REPORT
International Day of Education: How African Nations Are Changing Learning
A DW video report highlighting education reforms and innovation efforts across African countries.
WEBINAR
The Arab Spring Fifteen Years On
This Crown Center for Middle East Studies at the Brandeis University panel explores how the Arab Spring reshaped relations between states and societies, created and foreclosed possibilities for political participation and coalition-building, and shaped the region into what it is today.
Job Opportunities
Career moves, fellowships, and calls for applications—all in one place.
UNICEF
Consultancy (Digital Education and Innovation) (Cairo, Egypt)
UNICEF is recruiting for a professional role supporting child-focused development programming.
United Nations
Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Rabat, Morocco)
A United Nations vacancy seeking a humanitarian affairs professional to support coordination, reporting, and response planning in crisis-affected settings.
UN Women
National Consultant for Partnership and Resource Mobilization (Cairo, Egypt)
The consultant will be reporting to Deputy Country Representative, and will be supported by Planning and Coordination Specialist, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.
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.
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.
