Mar 11, 2026

West Africa: Jihadist Attacks Intensify in Northern Benin Amid Cross-Border Insurgency Pressure$

Analysis by The North Africa Journal

Jihadist attacks in northern Benin have intensified in recent weeks, with militants linked to JNIM claiming a deadly assault on a military position near the Niger border and carrying out additional raids on security posts along the country’s volatile frontiers with Burkina Faso and Nigeria. The violence underscores how northern Benin has become part of a wider cross-border insurgency spilling south from the central Sahel, even as authorities bolster Operation Mirador and try to prevent armed groups from entrenching themselves on Beninese soil.

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Premium Contents

Algeria-France Trade Drops 23% with Import and Energy Curbs$

by The North Africa Journal | Aug 10, 2026 | Algeria, Briefs, Business & Economy, 1shorts, Maghreb, Economy & Business, economy upfront, Business and Economy, 111, 1PREMIUM

Trade between Algeria and France fell by roughly 23% in the year ending June 2026, dropping below €9 billion as import controls and political tensions reshape the relationship. Algeria’s tighter oversight of foreign purchases has sharply reduced French exports—particularly in food, automotive equipment, and industrial goods—while energy-driven exports to France also declined. The figures point to a broader shift as Algeria diversifies suppliers and reduces reliance on its former primary trading partner.

Morocco Faces Balancing Test Over Potential Gaza Security Role$

by The North Africa Journal | Aug 10, 2026 | Shield and Alert: Maghreb, 111, Briefs, 1PREMIUM, Morocco, 1breaking, Security & Defense, 1shorts, Maghreb, International politics, Politics, Security, security upfront

A reported plan for a Moroccan military outpost in Gaza is raising questions about Rabat’s regional strategy. While participation in a multinational stabilization force could be framed as humanitarian and security support, a visible troop presence inside an Israeli-controlled area risks political backlash at home and abroad. The proposal highlights the tension between Morocco’s ties to Israel and its longstanding positioning as a supporter of Palestinian interests.

Sudan’s Army Gains Ground in Kordofan as War Strains Power and Food Systems$

by The North Africa Journal | Aug 10, 2026 | Briefs, Security & Defense, 1shorts, Africa, Sahel, Shield and Alert: Egypt, Shield and Alert: Sahel, Sudan, 1PREMIUM, 1-BLUE-LEFT-SECTION-Special-Focus-Free

Sudan’s army is gaining ground in North Kordofan, securing key transport routes that could support a broader push west toward Darfur. But battlefield advances are unfolding alongside a deepening national crisis, with power grid failures, disrupted agriculture and local conflicts compounding the country’s instability. But this latest military momentum is unlikely to resolve Sudan’s widening humanitarian and infrastructure challenges.

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