How France and the US can work to stabilise the Sahel
After the indifference of the Trump years, the Biden administration should broaden and deepen its cooperation with France in the Sahel
North Africa
Caught in transition: Tunisia’s protests and the threat of repression
As economic hardship and political infighting persist in debt-laden Tunisia, the EU should raise its concerns about the escalation of violence in the country and work to prevent it from sliding back into repression
Somalia’s election impasse: A crisis of state building
The EU can unblock the so-called “electoral impasse” paralysing Somalia by rejecting the involvement of the outgoing president. But it must also set out a new framework to help the country move forward
Plot twist: How Europe should deal with Libya’s new government
Europe should support the UN process in Libya by working to ensure that the country’s upstart new government focuses on preparing for and holding the general election in December
Mutual reassurance: Why Europe should support talks between Egypt and Turkey
By facilitating a rapprochement between Cairo and Ankara, European governments could make progress towards their strategic objective of stabilising the Middle East and North Africa
From trade to international law: Why the EU should untangle its relationships with Morocco and Western Sahara
Europe has a legitimate interest in maintaining close relations with Morocco. But this should not come at the expense of its commitment to international law and Sahrawi rights
Why the Western Sahara dispute could escalate conflicts across North Africa and the Sahel
Fighters across the region may be drawn in if the violence continues, as has happened for years in Libya’s cascading internal and proxy wars
Why Europe should push Egypt to release detained human rights activists
The Egyptian regime has shown that it is prepared to give ground on individual cases or pieces of legislation in the face of concerted pressure
How a Biden win could transform US policy in the Middle East and North Africa
Victory for Joe Biden is likely to bring three big policy shifts in the region, opening new possibilities and challenges for Europeans
Mali’s transitional government: The dangers of the junta clinging to power
There are promising signs in Mali’s new government, but the international community must take action now to ensure the military junta cedes power to civilians.