Jan 6, 2026

Irregular Migration to Spain Falls Sharply in 2025 With Decline in Atlantic Crossings$

Analysis by The North Africa Journal

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.

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Morocco Steps Up Tangier Crackdown on Undocumented Migrants$

by The North Africa Journal | May 4, 2026 | Immigration, Government abuse, Maghreb, Social, Immigration, Immigration, Shield and Alert: Maghreb, Briefs, Human Rights, Morocco, Human Rights, Social & Human Affairs, 1PREMIUM, 1shorts, 1-BLUE-LEFT-SECTION-Special-Focus-Free

Moroccan authorities are tightening their grip on irregular migration in and around the northern city of Tangier, stepping up raids and mass arrests of sub‑Saharan migrants who use the region as a launchpad toward Europe.

North African Countries Among World’s Cheapest for Gasoline, Lead Global Rankings$

by The North Africa Journal | May 4, 2026 | Shield and Alert: Maghreb, Shield and Alert: Egypt, Algeria, Business and Economy, Briefs, 111, Egypt, 1PREMIUM, Libya, Tunisia, 1shorts, Africa, Maghreb, Economy & Business

North African countries currently rank among the cheapest places in the world to buy gasoline, according to international price data published in late April 2026. The global average pump price for gasoline stood at around $1.49 per liter, while several North African producers were charging less than half that level. Libya, Algeria and Egypt all sit among the most affordable markets globally — though two non-African countries, Venezuela and Iran, rank between Libya and the rest of the African group in the worldwide table.

Libya: A drifting Russian gas tanker threatens the Mediterranean$

by The North Africa Journal | May 4, 2026 | 1PREMIUM, Briefs, Libya, Social & Human Affairs, 1shorts, Maghreb, Social, social upfront, Shield and Alert: Maghreb, Environment, 111

Since March 3, 2026, the Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz, 277 meters long, has been drifting off the Libyan coast. Loaded with 62,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG), 900 tons of diesel, and 450 tons of heavy fuel oil, it poses the risk of an environmental disaster for the Mediterranean basin. Amid repeated failures to tow the vessel, accusations of Ukrainian sabotage, and the powerlessness of Libyan authorities, the Mediterranean is on high alert.

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