[pj-news-ticker]

Morocco Detains Civic Activist Amid Online Speech Concerns

Authorities in Morocco have detained another young activist in what appears to be a developing pattern involving members of the youth movement GenZ212. Mohammed Khalif, who is active in the group’s Casablanca network, was taken into custody on February 16, according...

Tunisia: Arrest of Opposition Figure Olfa Hamdi Raises Concerns

A Tunisian civil liberties organization has publicly challenged the Tunisian authorities over the reported detention of opposition politician Olfa Hamdi, citing a lack of official confirmation or explanation days after news of her arrest began circulating. The...

Morocco’s Deficit Widens in Trade With Turkey

Economic ties between Turkey and Morocco are expanding at an unprecedented pace. Over the past two years, trade flows have accelerated sharply, pushing total bilateral exchanges beyond the $5 billion threshold and positioning Turkey among Morocco’s most dynamic...

Algeria and Niger Restore Ties, Signaling a Shift in Sahel Diplomacy$

After nearly a year of tensions, Algeria and Niger have formally reset their relationship. On February 12, 2026, both governments announced the simultaneous return of their ambassadors, closing a diplomatic rift that began in spring 2025. The move marks a broader...

TOP REGIONAL HEADLINES

Algeria: Supply Disruptions and Rising Food Prices Amid Transport Strike$

A nationwide freight transport strike in Algeria is disrupting food supply chains and driving sharp price increases across local markets. Reduced truck movements have slowed deliveries to wholesale distribution hubs, limiting the availability of fruits and vegetables and placing pressure on household budgets. Key agricultural and commercial regions are reporting thinning stocks, while retailers warn that prolonged disruption could exhaust remaining supplies. The situation highlights structural vulnerabilities in logistics networks and the direct link between transport continuity, food availability, and price stability.

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FOCAL POINTS

Sahel: The demise of the ancient city of TimbuktuF

When jihadists in Mali announced they would blockade the ancient city of Timbuktu, residents thought it was just another intimidation tactic. But a month and a half later, the tens of thousands of inhabitants remain almost completely cut off from the world with the...

Libya: Ancient Greco-Roman city of Cyrene faces risk of collapseF

Floods that killed thousands in the Libyan city of Derna also inundated one of the country's premier ancient sites, threatening its UNESCO-listed monuments with collapse, a recent visitor and a leading archaeologist said. The immediate damage to the monuments of...

Tunisian island of Djerba gets added to UNESCO World Heritage listF

UNESCO announced Monday it was adding the Tunisian resort island of Djerba to its list of World Heritage Sites because of its ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, mosques, churches and synagogues. The United Nations cultural organisation took the decision in Saudi...

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POLITICAL AFFAIRS

French Interior Minister Renews Dialogue with Algeria$

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s announced visit to Algiers marks a formal attempt to restart diplomatic engagement between France and Algeria after a period of strained relations. Discussions are expected to focus on security cooperation in the Sahel, the handling of deportation orders affecting Algerian nationals, and the case of imprisoned journalist Christophe Gleize. The visit takes place amid shifting regional dynamics, including Algeria’s growing role in Sahel security arrangements and recent signals of economic and political goodwill between the two countries.

MORE ON POLITICS

PODCASTS

Pressure mounts in Algeria amid calls for resumption of Hirak | 18 June 2020

by Arezki Daoud

COVID-19: The Latest

Podcast: Sahel and North Africa week in review 7 Jan 2023F

Greetings to our second episode of Week in Review and a quick summary of what we are tracking in the Sahel and in North Africa. Today is Saturday, the 7th of January 2023. This past week was somewhat subdued in the region largely due to the year-end holiday season and...

Covid-19: First case of Omicron in Tunisia comes from TurkeyF

Tunisia recorded its first confirmed case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in a Congolese man who arrived from Istanbul, the health minister said Friday. Ali Mrabet said the 23-year-old man tested positive and all fellow travellers on his flight from Turkey...

SECURITY, DEFENSE & TERRORISM

Egypt and Turkey Test Pragmatic Rapprochement After Years of Estrangement$

Egypt and Turkey are cautiously rebuilding relations after years of estrangement, driven by shifting regional dynamics and converging state interests. Recent defense-industrial cooperation and renewed diplomatic engagement point to a pragmatic recalibration rather than full political reconciliation, as both countries test whether managed coordination can replace prolonged rivalry.

SOCIAL, LABOR & THE ENVIRONMENT

BUSINESS & THE ECONOMY

Morocco’s Deficit Widens in Trade With Turkey

Trade between Turkey and Morocco has accelerated sharply, surpassing $5 billion in recent exchanges and strengthening Ankara’s position in the Moroccan market. While the expansion reflects deeper economic integration, Moroccan policymakers are seeking investment-based solutions to address a widening trade imbalance and position the country as a regional production hub ahead of the 2030 World Cup.