From Morocco hosting the Africa Cup of Nations and Libya exploring plans to launch a new airline to China expanding its satellite diplomacy influence over Egypt — explore the latest developments shaping North Africa 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
Niger’s military rulers order general mobilisation against armed groups
Niger’s junta ordered a nationwide mobilization to confront armed groups, signaling a further militarization of governance as insecurity continues to expand across the Sahel.
THE GUARDIAN
Mali and Burkina Faso impose retaliatory travel bans on US nationals
Mali and Burkina Faso announced travel restrictions on US citizens in response to American visa limits, underscoring deteriorating relations between Sahelian juntas and Western governments.
AL JAZEERA
UN renews Sudan ceasefire appeal over “unimaginable suffering” of civilians
The UN again called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, warning that civilians face catastrophic humanitarian conditions amid relentless fighting.
THE GUARDIAN
Morocco no longer a continental pariah as AFCON showcases its global standing
Morocco’s successful hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations is framed as a symbol of its growing diplomatic, sporting, and international stature.
EGYPT TODAY
Egypt outlines foreign policy “red lines” on Gaza, Sudan, Nile
Egypt’s government reaffirmed non-negotiable foreign-policy positions on Gaza, Sudan’s conflict, and Nile water security, highlighting Cairo’s regional priorities.
APA NEWS
Tunisian economy still on fragile trajectory
Tunisia’s economy shows limited recovery but remains vulnerable due to weak growth, fiscal pressures, and political uncertainty.
APA NEWS
Obstacles to Libyan electoral process surmountable, UN says
The UN argues that Libya’s electoral challenges can be overcome through structured political dialogue and confidence-building measures.
APA NEWS
Libya’s 2025 oil revenues reach about $22 billion
Libya’s oil revenues totaled roughly $22 billion in 2025, underscoring continued dependence on hydrocarbons despite political fragmentation.
APA NEWS
Algerian law criminalises French colonisation
Algeria adopted legislation criminalizing French colonial actions, reviving historical disputes and straining relations with Paris.
APA NEWS
Mali dismisses several high-ranking security officials
Mali’s authorities removed senior security officials amid accusations of undermining state security, reflecting internal tensions within the junta.
APA NEWS
Libya drone strike on patrols in Al-Ajilat kills two
A drone strike targeted patrols in western Libya, killing two people and raising concerns about escalating use of unmanned systems.
ABC NEWS
Egypt’s el-Sissi urges Security Council reforms, greater African role
President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi called for reforms to the UN Security Council, arguing that Africa deserves stronger representation in global governance.
AHRAM ONLINE
2025 Yearender: Capitalising on economic gains
Egypt’s economic growth in 2025 has been a pleasant surprise amid global economic uncertainty, Angus Blair, CEO of consultancy firm Signet, told Al-Ahram Weekly.
OILPRICE
Africa’s emerging LNG corridor south of the Sahara
The article examines how new LNG projects are reshaping gas exports across sub-Saharan Africa amid global energy shifts.
FINANCIAL TIMES
Africa’s growth could outpace Asia’s this year
A Financial Times analysis on Africa’s growth potential for 2026 and the continent surpassing Asia in economic growth.
REUTERS
How a remote Libyan airstrip reshaped Sudan’s civil war
Reuters traces how logistics routes through Libya have influenced Sudan’s conflict, highlighting regional spillovers and arms flows.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
Five African commercial hubs with the lowest safety index at end of 2025
A ranking of African commercial hubs with the poorest safety scores, reflecting crime, instability, and governance challenges.
IMF
Egypt: IMF staff reaches agreement on EFF and RSF reviews
IMF staff reached agreement with Egypt on program reviews, unlocking continued financial support tied to reform commitments.
LIBYA OBSERVER
Libya looks to establish a new airline
Libya is exploring plans to launch a new national airline as part of broader efforts to rebuild connectivity and economic activity.
LE POINT
Between the Maghreb and the EU, tightening the clamp on irregular migration
An analysis of EU–Maghreb cooperation on migration control, arguing that security-focused policies increasingly dominate relations.
BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
African countries under global financial watch at start of 2026
Several African economies enter 2026 under heightened scrutiny from global financial institutions due to debt and fiscal risks.
AL-MONITOR
Sputnik satellites: how China is pulling Egypt and the Gulf into its space orbit
China’s satellite diplomacy is expanding its influence over Egypt and Gulf states, reshaping space cooperation and strategic alignment.
AL-MONITOR
Morocco’s next-generation writers fight for a place on the shelf
A cultural piece on young Moroccan authors navigating censorship, publishing barriers, and changing literary markets.
AL-MONITOR
Jet carrying Libyan army chief crashes after departing Ankara
Further details emerged on the crash of a jet carrying Libya’s army chief, intensifying scrutiny over Libya–Turkey military ties.
Reports & Analysis on the Region
Deeper dives from experts, think tanks, and research institutes.
COMMENTARY
North Africa is a testing ground for the continent’s future
Stimson Center North Africa Program Director Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Arab News on how North Africa enters 2026 with respectable growth and rising geopolitical relevance, but beneath the headline stability lie unresolved political, demographic, and climate pressures that risk turning economic stabilization into fragile, transactional progress rather than durable resilience.
COMMENTARY
What the future holds for Africa
Stimson Center North Africa Program Director Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Arab News on violence against women in Libya, characterized by unchecked killings, the normalization of abuse, and institutions hollowed out to the point where protection is more fiction than function.
COMMENTARY
Escaping the cycle of conflict in Libya
This Chatham House paper argues that Libya’s conflict persists because elite power- and wealth-sharing arrangements entrench rent-seeking and economic predation, and contends that sustainable peace requires formally integrating a robust, internationally mediated economic track.
REPORT
Debt statistics
The World Bank’s debt statistics program provides comprehensive data on sovereign debt, creditor composition, and financial risk, including North Africa.
COMMENTARY
Trump administration policies may worsen racial and political tensions in Mauritania
This Arab Center analysis warns that restrictive US migration and security policies risk deepening racial and political fault lines in Mauritania.
COMMENTARY
What will 2026 bring for the Middle East and North Africa?
An Atlantic Council assessment outlining political, economic, and security trends likely to shape MENA in 2026, including North Africa’s evolving geopolitical role.
REPORT
North Africa in 2026: fragility, ambition, and the thirst for change
The Africa Report highlights how economic pressures, youth demands, and political constraints will define North Africa’s trajectory in the coming year.
POLICY ANALYSIS
Libya enters 2026 with political fragmentation and sustained foreign interference
The North Africa Journal analysis on how Libya remains divided as it heads into 2026, with entrenched rival authorities and continued foreign influence undermining prospects for stability.
REPORT
Tunisia entrepreneurial profile 2025 published
The AfDB and EBRD released a profile analyzing Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, barriers to growth, and reform needs.
POLICY ANALYSIS
Egypt’s electricity market outlook for 2026
A Eurasia Review analysis of Egypt’s power sector forecasts rising demand, investment opportunities, and ongoing reform challenges.
COMMENTARY
Libya: Sustained strong growth requires structural change
The World Bank argues that Libya must improve transparency and public financial management to convert oil-driven growth into sustainable development.
Upcoming Events
Key briefings and conferences to watch.
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.
Tune In
Hear the latest insights from regional experts.
A Conversation with H.E. Sabri Boukadoum, Ambassador of Algeria to the United States
The Stimson Center’s North Africa Program hosted Ambassador Sabri Boukadoum to discuss Algeria’s reforms, regional security, and U.S.–Algeria relations.
A Dialogue with H.E. Nadia Fettah Alaoui: Navigating Morocco’s Path to Growth and Resilience
Stimson Center’s North Africa Program hosted a conversation with H.E. Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance on the country’s economic agenda, global engagement, and relationship with the IMF and World Bank.
Jihad Azour: Policies to Help Middle East, North Africa Emerge Stronger
Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, explains in this podcast that while swift COVID-19 containment measures helped MENA weather the initial shock, the region still faces a fragile outlook. He argues that governments must now focus on building foundations for a durable and stronger economic recovery.
Nadia Fettah and Jihad Azour: Morocco Gives Voice to the Global South
In this IMF Podcast, Morocco’s Finance Minister Nadia Fettah and IMF Middle East and Central Asia Director Jihad Azour discuss how Morocco kept reforms on track despite successive shocks, including a severe drought, and what lessons its experience offers other countries in the region.
Africa’s Internationalized Conflicts and the Broken Crisis Response | with Comfort Ero
In this episode of MEnbar, Marc Owen Jones is joined by Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group, to examine the rapidly changing nature of conflict across Africa and its wider implications.
Egypt: Stability Lays Groundwork for Transformation
In this IMF Podcast, IMF Egypt lead Ivanna Vladkova Hollar explains that while the IMF-supported Extended Fund Facility has helped restore macroeconomic stability, the country’s next critical challenge is deeper economic transformation to unlock private-sector growth.
Unlocking the Next Stage: Rethinking Growth Strategies
Stimson Center North Africa Program Deputy Director Lana Bleik participated in a panel at the 14th edition of The Atlantic Dialogues, hosted by the Policy Center for the New South hosted in Rabat, Morocco.
Key Takeaways from Doha Forum 2025
Stimson Center North Africa Program Director Hafed Al Ghwell attended two Stimson and Global Institute for Strategic Research co-sponsored dialogues at this year’s Doha Forum focused on Governance in the region.
Job Opportunities
Career moves, fellowships, and calls for applications—all in one place.
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.
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.
