Jan 2, 2026

U.S. Immigration Policy and the Changing Landscape of Africa-U.S. Travel$

Analysis by The North Africa Journal

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.

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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

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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.

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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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