Social, Labor
and Human Issues
Europe’s New Migration Rules Shift Pressure South to North Africa
As the European Union prepares to implement its revised migration framework in mid-2026, coordination between Italy and North African states is already reshaping how migration is managed across the Mediterranean. The new approach shifts operational responsibility away from EU territory and toward transit countries in the Maghreb, with a growing focus on returns rather than border enforcement. While framed as regional cooperation, the emerging system raises questions about governance, funding transparency, and the capacity of transit states to absorb migrants who are unable to move forward or return home. The result may be fewer arrivals in Europe, but increased pressure and instability along the southern Mediterranean.
Irregular Migration to Spain Falls Sharply in 2025 With Decline in Atlantic Crossings
Irregular migration to Spain declined significantly in 2025 following a record year in 2024, according to official figures. The drop was driven primarily by a sharp reduction in sea crossings to the Canary Islands, long one of Europe’s most dangerous migration routes. Enhanced maritime surveillance and expanded cooperation between Spain, the European Union, and key departure countries in West and North Africa played a central role in reducing Atlantic crossings. At the same time, arrivals to Spain did not disappear but shifted geographically, with increased landings reported in the Balearic Islands via the western Mediterranean. The figures highlight how enforcement measures can reshape migration patterns while leaving underlying pressures and humanitarian risks largely unchanged.
Tunisia: Leading Labor Union in Turmoil
Tunisia’s historic labor union, the UGTT, is facing one of the most serious internal crises in its modern history. Deep divisions within the leadership, questions over legitimacy, and mounting pressure from President Kaïs Saïed have pushed the organization into open turmoil. The possible resignation of Secretary General Noureddine Tabboubi comes as the state moves to strip the union of its traditional role in wage negotiations and social dialogue, signaling a broader effort to marginalize independent labor power. As internal factions clash over leadership, strategy, and the timing of a general strike, the future role of the UGTT as a counterweight in Tunisian political life is increasingly uncertain.
U.S. Immigration Policy and the Changing Landscape of Africa-U.S. Travel
In 2026, U.S. visa policy is entering a more restrictive phase for large parts of Africa and the Middle East. Countries including Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Zimbabwe now face higher application costs, expanded biometric requirements, mandatory disclosure of social media and digital histories, and longer processing timelines. At the same time, several Sahel states have responded with reciprocal measures, suspending or banning visas for U.S. citizens. What began as a security-driven adjustment to immigration screening has evolved into a broader diplomatic signal, reshaping mobility, bilateral relations, and perceptions of U.S. engagement across Africa and the Middle East.
MORE ARTICLES
Tunis Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence Against Opposition Leader Abir Moussi
A Tunis appeals court has confirmed a two-year prison sentence against opposition leader Abir Moussi, upholding a conviction linked to allegations of digital misinformation and defamation. The ruling, tied to a case initiated by Tunisia’s election authority, comes amid a wider use of legal provisions governing online speech in politically sensitive cases.
Environment: Algeria’s Race Against a Looming Water Collapse
Algeria has already crossed into “absolute” water scarcity, with each resident effectively living on a fraction of the internationally accepted minimum. As officials lean ever harder on fossil aquifers and desalination plants, experts warn that the country is trading tomorrow’s security for today’s short‑term fixes.
Algeria to Introduce Digital Passport Renewal for Citizens Living Abroad
Algeria plans to introduce online passport renewal for citizens living abroad by late 2025, allowing expired passports to be renewed remotely using existing biometric data. The move is expected to ease pressure on consulates and improve access to services for the diaspora.
Migration: 17 Migrants, Mostly Egyptians, Lost at Sea on the Road to Greece
Fourteen Egyptians where among 17 confirmed dead migrants after their boat capsized in rough seas south of Crete, highlighting once again the lethal risks of the Mediterranean route from North Africa to Greece.
Mauritania Arrests Anti‑Corruption Figure Mohamed Ould Gadda
The arrest of former senator and NGO leader Mohamed Ould Gadda in Mauritania, following his efforts to submit evidence on a sensitive police laboratory corruption file, has triggered criticism from MPs and opposition figures who view the case as a test of protections for whistleblowers and civil liberties.
Morocco: Urban Safety Concerns Grow Amid Deadly Floods and Building Collapse
Deadly flash floods in Safi and the collapse of residential buildings in Fes have killed dozens of people in recent days, intensifying scrutiny of urban safety, infrastructure resilience, and the state’s ability to prevent foreseeable disasters across Morocco.
Survey on French Muslims Reopens Debate on Religious Practice, Identity, and Interpretation
A new IFOP survey reports rising religious engagement among young Muslims in France, sparking debate over interpretation, context, and the risks of overstating political meaning in faith-related polling.
Algeria Raises Minimum Wage and Jobless Benefits for 2026
Algeria has announced an increase in its national minimum wage, lifting it from 20,000 to 24,000 dinars per month starting in January 2026, alongside a rise in unemployment benefits from 15,000 to 18,000 dinars. The measures are presented as part of a broader effort to strengthen social protections and address rising living costs in a hydrocarbon‑dependent economy.
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