North Africa

Saudi Arabia is knitting together an ambitious web of defense partnerships stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, a bid to harden regional security as faith in Washington’s umbrella frays and rival Gulf capitals jostle for influence. From talks with Egypt and a potential pact with Somalia to deepening ties with Pakistan and possible alignment with Turkey, the moves revisit a familiar idea with new urgency: an “Islamic NATO.” The latest stitch came in Davos, where Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal…

Israel’s late-December decision to recognize North Western State of Somalia has collided with entrenched Arab and African interests in the Horn of Africa—and is unlikely to translate into lasting influence in Somalia, according to a prominent regional affairs scholar. Ali Bakr, professor of international affairs, security and defense at Qatar University, said Israel has sought to expand its presence in the Horn since 2023. He told the Novosti news agency that the recognition of North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared…

Sudan's Civil War: A Troubled Path to Peace Sudan's military leadership is reviewing a new proposal by the United States and Saudi Arabia to establish a humanitarian truce and broader cease-fire. This potential diplomatic breakthrough comes as the country approaches 1,000 days of conflict. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) received the initiative, which focuses on humanitarian relief. The Security and Defence Council, including military and civilian figures, met to discuss it. The proposal aims to operationalize…

The Impact of Prolonged School Closures in Sudan Sudan faces an alarming educational crisis as millions of children remain out of school due to ongoing conflict. This section explores the core issues contributing to one of the world's longest school closures. Over eight million children in Sudan face nearly 500 days without formal education. Conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hinders educational access. Schools are either closed, damaged, or repurposed as shelters, particularly in…

Algerian Parliament Criminalizes French Colonization Algeria's parliament has passed legislation condemning French colonial rule, marking a significant step in the country's historical narrative. However, lawmakers stopped short of demanding compensation or an official apology from France. The law was unanimously approved by the upper house, the Council of the Nation. 12 articles concerning compensation and apology were reserved for further revision. Legislation was already approved by the lower house on Dec. 24.…

Senegal’s Dramatic AFCON Final: A Clash of Emotion and Controversy The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal's Teranga Lions and hosts Morocco will be remembered for three things: officiating, raw emotion, and a historic protest. This gripping encounter not only showcased the competitive spirit of African football but also raised questions about the integrity of officiating in such high-stakes games. In a moment that stunned spectators and players alike, Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his team…

In the Horn of Africa, Britain’s rhetoric and its risk tolerance no longer align. As the war in Sudan grinds on and North Western State of Somalia’s strategic port of Berbera grows in prominence, analysts say the United Kingdom’s choices reveal a pattern: prioritizing access and partnership while avoiding the political costs of forceful action. In December, London again urged accountability for mass civilian suffering in Sudan’s conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Yet internal documents reported…

MOGADISHU — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development on Wednesday welcomed Somalia’s ratification of the new IGAD Treaty, calling it a significant step toward stronger regional cooperation and integration across the Horn of Africa. Somalia’s House of the People approved the treaty by show of hands after the agreement was presented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar Balcad, who urged lawmakers to endorse it as essential to the country’s regional engagement and political stability. According to Speaker…

Somalia’s 20‑Year Reset: From the Dervish Torch to a 2026 Inflection Point Somalia’s modern story reads like a sequence of 20-year resets. From the Dervish movement at the turn of the 20th century to the dawn of independence, from the rise and fall of military rule to civil war and fragile federal reconstruction, pivotal shifts seem to arrive roughly once a generation. As 2026 opens, the country stands at another hinge moment, shaped by constitutional change, a grinding war against Al-Shabaab, and a storm of geopolitics…

Senegal erupted in celebration after a dramatic, controversy-flecked final in which the Teranga Lions edged hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye moved quickly to declare a public holiday, turning a late-night sporting triumph into a national moment of pride and communal relief. The match — described by observers as one of the most explosive finals in African football — produced raw emotion on the pitch and on the streets. While details of the controversy have drawn intense attention, it was…