Turkey: Erdogan’s Winning Strategy in Africa
Despite the wave of coups d’état in West Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to the ousted regimes of Guinea, Mali, and Niger, has successfully protected his country’s interests in the region. He has done so through a strategy that combines drone diplomacy with business interests.
Geopolitics: Religion, Oil, and Minerals are Now Washington’s Africa Strategy
Under Donald Trump, US Africa policy is zeroing in on oil and mineral wealth while using evangelical networks as a back channel into Central Africa — offering political cover to leaders and countering Chinese and Russian influence where Catholic voices are more...
Business News & Analyses
Algeria Rebounds as Spain’s Primary Gas Supplier as Bilateral Trade Spikes
Algeria has reclaimed its position as Spain’s leading natural gas supplier, with bilateral trade surging after a two-year diplomatic freeze. This economic rebound highlights the strategic importance of the energy link that endured despite significant political tensions.
Turkey: Erdogan’s Winning Strategy in Africa
Despite the wave of coups d’état in West Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to the ousted regimes of Guinea, Mali, and Niger, has successfully protected his country’s interests in the region. He has done so through a strategy that combines drone diplomacy with business interests.
Algeria Officially Joins ASEAN
Egypt: Inflation Creeps Back Up While Foreign Reserves Shrink
Egypt’s inflation jumps and foreign reserves dip, raising fresh concerns about the country’s fragile economic recovery.
Algeria Cuts French Imports in Bid for Self-Sufficiency and Diversification
France once held a firm place in Algeria’s food supply chain, from wheat fields in Burgundy to cattle farms in the Auvergne. But over the past year, that connection has weakened. Quietly but steadily, Algeria has stopped importing key French agricultural products—first wheat, then young cattle—while looking elsewhere to meet its needs.
ANALYSES & MAJOR EVENTS
MAGHREB
Algeria Rebounds as Spain’s Primary Gas Supplier as Bilateral Trade Spikes
Algeria's role as Spain's top natural gas provider is back in the spotlight. After a significant two-year diplomatic freeze, not only have trade...
Moroccan Activist Detained Over Controversial Social Media Post
Moroccan activist Ibtissame Lachgar, known for her advocacy for individual liberties, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, has been placed in custody...
Tunisia: Armed Militias Attack the UGTT
By MondAfrique: On Thursday, August 7, 2025, unidentified groups attempted to forcefully enter the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) offices at...
French President Wants to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Algerian Diplomats
French President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the government suspend visa exemptions for Algerian diplomatic and official passport holders....
Tunis’ Crumbling Infrastructure: 1,500 Buildings Deemed At Risk of Collapse
Tunisia’s capital region faces a mounting urban safety crisis as officials warn of structural risks to residents In what may be one of the most...
Libya’s Fragile Peace Shaken Again by Local Violence
Tensions are flaring again in Libya, from deadly street battles in Tripoli’s suburbs to violent protests in Sabratha. The killing of a well-known...
More on the Maghreb
SAHEL
Turkey: Erdogan’s Winning Strategy in Africa
Despite the wave of coups d'état in West Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to the ousted regimes of Guinea, Mali,...
The Human Cost of the EU-Mauritania Migration Partnership
Since early 2024, the Mauritanian government has intensified its enforcement operations against undocumented sub-Saharan migrants in Nouakchott,...
Geopolitics: Religion, Oil, and Minerals are Now Washington’s Africa Strategy
Under Donald Trump, US Africa policy is zeroing in on oil and mineral wealth while using evangelical networks as a back channel into Central Africa...
Protests Erupt as Water Shortage Grips Mauritania
Opposition lawmakers in Mauritania staged a sit-in at the Ministry of Water to protest a two-week-long water shortage in the capital. The...
Ivory Coast Edges Toward Political Flashpoint Ahead of 2025 Election
Rising tensions, legacy rivalries, and fears of renewed violence loom over a fragile democracy. With just months to go before Côte d’Ivoire’s...
Niger Deepens Strategic Ties with Russia After Break from France
Civil nuclear cooperation and uranium development signal a shift in Niamey's global posture In a development that further signals Niger’s departure...
More on the Sahel
EGYPT
Egypt: Inflation Creeps Back Up While Foreign Reserves Shrink
Egypt’s economy is showing signs of strain again. New data reveals a sharp rise in inflation and a drop in foreign currency reserves. Prices are...
Egypt: Challenged Energy Sector Faces Another Brutal Summer
Egypt faces a deepening energy crisis as natural gas production crashes 39%, forcing a return to costly LNG imports and the unpopular decision to...
U.S. Trade Policy Is Accelerating China–North Africa Economic and Defense Engagement
U.S. trade tariffs are accelerating China’s push into developing economies, with North Africa emerging as a key frontier. From a $265 million...
Syria’s New Ruler Faces Jihadist Rebellion and Internal Strife
Ahmed Al-Charaa, once a top jihadist leader, now rules Syria after toppling Bashar al-Assad. But his grip on power is fragile. While rebranding...
Could Syria Avoid a Repeat of the Libyan Disaster: Opinion by Arezki Daoud
By Arezki Daoud: What is happening in Syria cannot leave us insensitive to the plight of the Syrian people, who have endured decades of abuse from...
Egypt: Efforts at a National Dialogue Undermined by an Unhinged Political Police
Egypt is sending mix signals on its human rights records. Some in Cairo’s political system are trying hard to project the image of an Egypt...
More on Egypt
EU Report Accuses Tunisia of Migrant Trafficking to Libya
A report presented to the European Parliament accuses Tunisia of deporting sub-Saharan migrants and selling them to Libyan armed groups.
Sahel: Terror Groups Gain Ground as Armies Struggle to Contain Them
Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch (GSIM) is now emerging as the region’s dominant jihadist force. Even the brutal Islamic State has been largely unable to contain SGIM’s expansion, which has been expanding its control across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Syria’s New Ruler Faces Jihadist Rebellion and Internal Strife
Ahmed Al-Charaa, once a top jihadist leader, now rules Syria after toppling Bashar al-Assad. But his grip on power is fragile. While rebranding himself as a moderate, he faces opposition from the Islamic State
Franco-Algerian Diplomatic Relations in Turmoil
The Franco-Algerian diplomatic relations are going through a turbulent period. The latest signs of discord between them stem from multiple sources that include the change in France’s recognition of Morocco’s plan on the Western Sahara
Burkina Faso Junta Faces Governance Challenges Amid Controversies and Rumors
The military junta in Burkina Faso is not governing at ease. The country is struggling with repressive actions from the junta, with opposition figures, lawyers and activities feeling the brunt of the regime.
Sahel: French company Orano loses operating license of key uranium site in Niger
The Nigerien government revoked the operating permit for the Imouraren uranium mine from the French company Orano to assert sovereignty over its resources.
MORE ANALYSES & MAJOR EVENTS
Sahel: Russia Replaces Wagner in Mali Under Pressure from Algeria, Touaregs Brace
With Wagner stepping aside, the Africa Corps is moving in, bringing structure and legitimacy to Moscow’s support for Bamako. Touareg leaders, fearing a more efficient and state-backed force, have begun testing quiet understandings with jihadist factions like GSIM. It’s not a formal alliance, but a sign of growing desperation in a region where alliances shift quickly and survival often overrides ideology.
Algeria Officially Joins ASEAN
Algeria just made a big splash on the global stage, officially joining ASEAN as a partner (What is Asean: An Explainer). The North African nation is essentially hitting the reset button on its foreign policy, shifting its gaze from its usual European and Mediterranean neighbors eastward. The move is a positive one for Algiers, which will enable it to expand its economic horizons, boosting its...
This Week’s Premium Podcast
Ethnic Targeting in West Africa and Sahel: The Forgotten Plight of the Fulani
What’s happening to the Fulani in the Sahel isn’t just war — it’s collective punishment. This is the story no one wants to tell.
POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Tunisia: Armed Militias Attack the UGTT
On August 7, 2025, unidentified men attempted to forcefully enter the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) offices in Tunis, calling for its dissolution, a day after President Kaïs Saïed, in reaction to a transport sector strike, had publicly accused union members of “treason.”
MORE ON POLITICS
Tunisia: Armed Militias Attack the UGTT
By MondAfrique: On Thursday, August 7, 2025, unidentified groups attempted to forcefully enter the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) offices at...
Geopolitics: Religion, Oil, and Minerals are Now Washington’s Africa Strategy
Under Donald Trump, US Africa policy is zeroing in on oil and mineral wealth while using evangelical networks as a back channel into Central Africa...
French President Wants to Suspend Visa-Free Travel for Algerian Diplomats
French President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the government suspend visa exemptions for Algerian diplomatic and official passport holders....
Ivory Coast Edges Toward Political Flashpoint Ahead of 2025 Election
Rising tensions, legacy rivalries, and fears of renewed violence loom over a fragile democracy. With just months to go before Côte d’Ivoire’s...
Sahel: Russia Replaces Wagner in Mali Under Pressure from Algeria, Touaregs Brace
As Wagner withdraws from Mali, Russia is not stepping away, but it’s reshaping its presence there. Under quiet pressure from Algeria, the...
Mauritania: Ex-President Verdict Puts Mauritania’s Legal System Under Spotlight
Mauritania’s high-profile corruption trial of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has sparked a bigger conversation across West Africa: are...
Algeria Cuts French Imports in Bid for Self-Sufficiency and Diversification
France once held a firm place in Algeria’s food supply chain, from wheat fields in Burgundy to cattle farms in the Auvergne. But over the past year,...
Sahel: Russia Reorganizes in Mali: Wagner Withdraws, Africa Corps Moves In
After months of behind-the-scenes talks, Russia has managed to phase out the Wagner Group in Mali and replace it with a new force called the Africa...
The EU’s Silent Partner: Mauritania’s Migration Deal Under Scrutiny
Mauritania is getting €210 million in EU funding to act as a migration gatekeeper to fortress Europe. The northwest African nation has intensified...
Libya in Perpetual Crisis: How Khalifa Haftar Is Gaining Ground Amid Institutional Collapse
Libya is unable to find a way out of its crisis. It is caught between two rival governments, a dysfunctional international diplomacy, military...
Mali in Turmoil: Junta Suspends Political Parties Amid Mounting Opposition
Mali’s ruling junta has officially suspended all political party activities, marking the most sweeping crackdown yet on democratic institutions...
North Africa Defense: Morocco Gets Surface-to-Air Missiles, Algeria-Mauritania Sign Defense Pact
April 2025 has seen a notable series of military developments across North Africa, where rivalries and competition for influence are adding more...
Algeria–France Diplomatic Crisis Intensifies
By Arezki Daoud: I was in Algeria last week and it was difficult to ignore the escalating diplomatic tension between France and Algeria. Both sides...
West Africa: ECOWAS in turmoil
West Africa's economic grouping, ECOWAS, faces a new crisis as former chairman and Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo refuses to step down...
SECURITY, DEFENSE & TERRORISM
Jihadist Expansion Threatens Coastal West Africa
The Sahel is confronting an intensifying insurgency that continues to evolve in scale and complexity. Armed groups such as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) are adapting and adjusting their strategies to cement their presence and expand beyond. These actors, once largely confined to remote rural areas, are now expanding their...
Turkey: Erdogan’s Winning Strategy in Africa
Despite the wave of coups d'état in West Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to the ousted regimes of Guinea, Mali,...
Libya’s Fragile Peace Shaken Again by Local Violence
Tensions are flaring again in Libya, from deadly street battles in Tripoli’s suburbs to violent protests in Sabratha. The killing of a well-known...
Jihadist Expansion Threatens Coastal West Africa
The Sahel is confronting an intensifying insurgency that continues to evolve in scale and complexity. Armed groups such as the Group for the Support...
Sahel: Russia Replaces Wagner in Mali Under Pressure from Algeria, Touaregs Brace
As Wagner withdraws from Mali, Russia is not stepping away, but it’s reshaping its presence there. Under quiet pressure from Algeria, the...
Sahel: Russia Reorganizes in Mali: Wagner Withdraws, Africa Corps Moves In
After months of behind-the-scenes talks, Russia has managed to phase out the Wagner Group in Mali and replace it with a new force called the Africa...
Facing Regional Instability, Algeria Introduces Mobilization Law in Line with Global Practices
Facing fast-moving geopolitical changes and threats, Algeria is currently updating its defense-related laws, with a new legislation on general...
North Africa Defense: Morocco Gets Surface-to-Air Missiles, Algeria-Mauritania Sign Defense Pact
April 2025 has seen a notable series of military developments across North Africa, where rivalries and competition for influence are adding more...
Franco-Algerian relations set to worsen over planned military maneuvers in Morocco
On 6 March 2025, Algeria summoned French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet to convey its opposition to the planned Franco-Moroccan military maneuvers...
Morocco Busts ‘Lions of the Caliphate’ Terror Cell After Yearlong Probe
The Moroccan security services say the arrested a dozen operatives of an unknown “terrorist group” it named the “Lions of the Caliphate in the...
Sahel: France Concludes Military Presence in Chad
France has officially ended its military presence in Chad, returning the Kossei base to the Chadian government. This marks the end of a...
France’s decades-long military presence in Africa is winding down
France’s decades-long military presence in Africa is winding down as countries like Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire announce the closure of foreign bases,...
Could Syria Avoid a Repeat of the Libyan Disaster: Opinion by Arezki Daoud
By Arezki Daoud: What is happening in Syria cannot leave us insensitive to the plight of the Syrian people, who have endured decades of abuse from...
Sahel: Inside Chad’s Risky Alliance in Sudan’s Conflict
Chadian President Mahamat Déby’s support for Sudan’s Hemedti amid the Sudanese conflict has sparked tension at home, risking political instability...
The US Africa Policy: Don’t Expect Anything New
Africa has been a low priority for virtually all US administrations, be they republicans or democrats. It is true that Donald Trump has been more...
SOCIAL, LABOR & THE ENVIRONMENT
Geopolitics: Religion, Oil, and Minerals are Now Washington’s Africa Strategy
Under Donald Trump, US Africa policy is zeroing in on oil and mineral wealth while using evangelical networks as a back channel into Central Africa — offering political cover to leaders and countering Chinese and Russian influence where Catholic voices are more confrontational. This soft-power strategy runs alongside a “trade, not aid” push, with Washington targeting African oil, gas, and...
Moroccan Activist Detained Over Controversial Social Media Post
Moroccan activist Ibtissame Lachgar, known for her advocacy for individual liberties, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, has been placed in custody...
Tunisia: Armed Militias Attack the UGTT
By MondAfrique: On Thursday, August 7, 2025, unidentified groups attempted to forcefully enter the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) offices at...
The Human Cost of the EU-Mauritania Migration Partnership
Since early 2024, the Mauritanian government has intensified its enforcement operations against undocumented sub-Saharan migrants in Nouakchott,...
Geopolitics: Religion, Oil, and Minerals are Now Washington’s Africa Strategy
Under Donald Trump, US Africa policy is zeroing in on oil and mineral wealth while using evangelical networks as a back channel into Central Africa...
Tunis’ Crumbling Infrastructure: 1,500 Buildings Deemed At Risk of Collapse
Tunisia’s capital region faces a mounting urban safety crisis as officials warn of structural risks to residents In what may be one of the most...
West Africa: Despite Record Oil Production, Senegal Faces Fuel Price Pressure
In Senegal, drivers are feeling the pinch as fuel prices soar to the highest levels in the entire WAEMU region—even though the country pumped out 16...
The EU’s Silent Partner: Mauritania’s Migration Deal Under Scrutiny
Mauritania is getting €210 million in EU funding to act as a migration gatekeeper to fortress Europe. The northwest African nation has intensified...
Morocco: Villagers on Edge as Wildfire Spreads Near Tangier
Firefighters in northern Morocco are battling a rapidly spreading wildfire in Houara Forest near Tangier, with 60 hectares already burned. Strong...
Morocco: Two children killed in floods
Struggling with a debilitating drought, Morocco is now experiencing heavy rainfall resulting in floods that have been causing destruction and...
Tunisia’s Opposition Faces Mounting Legal Pressure
Government actions against opposition figures continue to dominate the political landscape in Tunisia. This week and after accusing the Organization...
Tunisia’s Opposition Faces Mounting Legal Pressure
Government actions against opposition figures continue to dominate the political landscape in Tunisia. This week and after accusing the Organization...
EU Report Accuses Tunisia of Migrant Trafficking to Libya
A report, presented to the European Parliament on January 29 by a group of researchers, accuses Tunisia of deporting sub-Saharan migrants and...
Morocco is confronting a measles outbreak
Morocco is experiencing a measles outbreak which appears to have caused the death of five people on 3,631 measles cases reported in the first three...
Morocco Reports Blocking Thousands of Migration Attempts in 2024, Suggesting Far Greater Total Numbers
In 2024, Moroccan authorities reported blocking 78,685 irregular migration attempts, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior. These...
BUSINESS & THE ECONOMY
Algeria Rebounds as Spain’s Primary Gas Supplier as Bilateral Trade Spikes
Algeria has reclaimed its position as Spain’s leading natural gas supplier, with bilateral trade surging after a two-year diplomatic freeze. This economic rebound highlights the strategic importance of the energy link that endured despite significant political tensions.
Algeria Rebounds as Spain’s Primary Gas Supplier as Bilateral Trade Spikes
Algeria's role as Spain's top natural gas provider is back in the spotlight. After a significant two-year diplomatic freeze, not only have trade...
Turkey: Erdogan’s Winning Strategy in Africa
Despite the wave of coups d'état in West Africa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had close ties to the ousted regimes of Guinea, Mali,...
Algeria Officially Joins ASEAN
Algeria just made a big splash on the global stage, officially joining ASEAN as a partner (What is Asean: An Explainer). The North African nation is...
Egypt: Inflation Creeps Back Up While Foreign Reserves Shrink
Egypt’s economy is showing signs of strain again. New data reveals a sharp rise in inflation and a drop in foreign currency reserves. Prices are...
Algeria Cuts French Imports in Bid for Self-Sufficiency and Diversification
France once held a firm place in Algeria’s food supply chain, from wheat fields in Burgundy to cattle farms in the Auvergne. But over the past year,...
Morocco Wields Antidumping Measures to Shield Key Industries from Foreign Price Pressures
Morocco isn’t making much noise about it, but a subtle shift is taking place in how the country handles foreign competition. Over the past year,...
Guinea’s Mining Purge Echoes Mali’s Playbook, With Different Goals
Guinea’s junta has launched a sweeping crackdown on mining permits, abruptly revoking over 100 licenses for bauxite, gold, iron ore, and diamond...
West Africa: Despite Record Oil Production, Senegal Faces Fuel Price Pressure
In Senegal, drivers are feeling the pinch as fuel prices soar to the highest levels in the entire WAEMU region—even though the country pumped out 16...
Egypt: Challenged Energy Sector Faces Another Brutal Summer
Egypt faces a deepening energy crisis as natural gas production crashes 39%, forcing a return to costly LNG imports and the unpopular decision to...
Libya’s Oil Ambitions Undermined by Governance Gridlock
Libya’s energy sector is experiencing renewed interest, with billions in foreign investment and key infrastructure projects now underway....
Libya’s Oil Ambitions Undermined by Governance Gridlock
Libya’s energy sector is experiencing renewed interest, with billions in foreign investment and key infrastructure projects now underway....
Libya: Eni Leads Charge in Libya’s Energy Revival
The energy sector appears to be the only bright spot in the Libyan economy. The sector is experiencing significant developments, with substantial...
The Maghreb’s Response to U.S. Tariffs and Rising Chinese Influence
U.S. tariffs have not yet affected consumer spending in the Maghreb, but as the tariffs are sending shockwaves through global trade—North Africa is...
Algeria-France Business Ties Hit by Diplomatic Rift
The ongoing diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France are now affecting economic relations, which had so far remained relatively stable....