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French President Emmanuel Macron is set to conclude his three-day visit to Morocco on Oct. 30 after addressing Morocco's parliament on Oct. 29, France 24 reported on Oct. 29.

France, Morocco: Macron Concludes Visit to Morocco After Inking 22 Agreements

The Moroccan government announced a partial Cabinet reshuffle including the ministers of education, higher education, agriculture, health, and transport and logistics, Morocco World News reported on Oct. 23.

Morocco: Akhannouch Partially Reshuffles Moroccan Cabinet

Europe

The European Court of Justice, or ECJ, issued a final ruling invalidating the 2019 EU-Morocco trade deals on agriculture and fisheries, saying the European Commission had violated the self-determination rights of the indigenous Sahrawi people in Western Sahara by not including them in negotiations, Reuters reported on Oct. 4.

Morocco, Western Sahara, EU: European Court of Justice Invalidates 2019 EU-Morocco Trade Deals

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Science & Technology

According to data released by Morocco's Directorate General of Water Engineering, Morocco's dam levels have dropped below 28%, Hespress reported Aug. 13.

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Algeria

Western Sahara

Algeria recalled its ambassador to France hours after the Moroccan Royal Palace released a statement saying France's recognition of its sovereignty claims over Western Sahara was a "significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara," RFI reported July 30.

Algeria, France: Algeria Recalls Ambassador Over France's Western Sahara Stance

Military & Security

In a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco's King Mohamed VI, France recognized Morocco's sovereignty claims over the Western Sahara, writing, "For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved," Reuters reported July 30.

Morocco, France, Algeria: France Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Claims Over Western Sahara

Mali

Clashes erupted on July 25 between the Malian army, supported by Russian Africa Corps mercenaries, and Tuareg rebel groups in the northern Kidal region, Jeune Afrique reported on July 26.

Mali: Security Forces Clash With Tuareg Rebels Near Algerian Border

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Arab leaders began to arrive in Manama, Bahrain, on May 15, for the 33rd Arab League summit that will focus on developing a consensus on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, The National reported the next day.

MENA: Arab League Summit To Formalize Conditions for Gaza Reconstruction

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A Gabonese brigade participates in a training exercise as part of a military program linked to the Franco-Gabonese partnership at the French military base Camp de Gaulle in Libreville on March 19, 2025. 

France's reduced influence in Africa will create space for local and foreign actors to take on greater leadership roles, but their inability to fill the security vacuum left by France's withdrawal would threaten to destabilize the region.

France, Africa and the Future, Part 2: The Age of Multi-Alignment 

Assessments

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) at the Borgo Egnazia resort on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Savelletri, Italy, on June 13, 2024. 

A migration dispute between France and Algeria will likely lead to sanctions, trade restrictions and frozen energy deals amid broader disagreements over Western Sahara.


Divisions Between France and Algeria Deepen Over Migration Dispute

United States

Egyptians protest in front of the Rafah border crossing, rejecting the proposed displacement of Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, on Jan. 31, 2025. 

Pro-Palestinian protests will persist regionwide amid allegations of Israeli ceasefire violations, but Morocco and Egypt will avoid taking action that could jeopardize their access to Israeli weapons and energy.

How Will North African Governments Respond to Ardent Pro-Palestinian Sentiment?

The Geopolitics of Water

North Africa will struggle to combat its worsening drought amid overconsumption, mismanagement and technological shortcomings.

The Geopolitics of Water: A Prolonged Drought Dries Up North Africa's Resources

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune meets with France's President Emmanuel Macron at the Borgo Egnazia resort on the sideline of the Group of Seven summit in Savelletri, Apulia region, Italy, on June 13, 2024.

Global Elections

The likely reelection of President Tebboune will yield a nationalist approach to foreign policy in the short term and additional economic reforms, though a growing internal debt burden will challenge economic growth.

Algeria's Political and Economic Course Seems Set as President Tebboune Readies Himself for Another Term

Turkey

Israeli soldiers guard a barrier, silhouetted against afternoon sun.

As Gaza moves closer to a post-war reality, political limitations in Israel and competing interests abroad muddy the waters of the region's future governance.

For Israel, the Challenge of Gaza's Future Governance Deepens

Snapshots

Moroccan Air Force mechanics examine an F-16 fighter jet at an airbase in Ben Guerir, about 58 kilometers north of Marrakesh, Morocco, on June 14, 2021. 

Pressure from its pro-Palestinian population will not deter Morocco from using Israeli technology to expand its domestic weapons capabilities, as Rabat seeks to catch up to Algeria’s military power and position itself as an arms exporter.

Despite the Gaza War, Morocco-Israel Defense Ties Look Set to Deepen

People protest against high living costs in Rabat, Morocco, on Feb. 20, 2023.

If the country's cost-of-living crisis worsens, Rabat may face political turmoil that results in a Cabinet reshuffle or the prime minister's resignation.

What's in Store for Morocco in 2024

Displaced Sahrawis arrive at the refugee camp of Dakhla, which lies some 170 kilometers southeast of the Algerian city of Tindouf, on Jan. 13, 2023.

Rabat will leverage growing support of its sovereignty claims to attract investment to the disputed region, as Algiers tries to prevent the territorial dispute from further harming its foreign relationships.

Morocco and Algeria's Evolving Strategies in Western Sahara

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Essential Geopolitics thumbnail

How is Morocco dealing with the fallout from the quake?

Essential Geopolitics: The Long-Term Implications of Morocco's Recent Earthquake

Students from the American University of Beirut (AUB) rally in support of Palestinians outside the main gate of the university in the Lebanese capital on Oct. 9, 2023. 

Israel's likely ground invasion in Gaza will alienate many Muslims in the Middle East, pressuring their governments to respond in support of Palestinians.

Gauging the Regional Response to the Gaza Conflict

Earthquake rescue operations Sept. 11, 2023, in the mountainous area of Tizi n-Test, Taroudant province, Morocco.

The quake will harm growth into 2024, potentially forcing the government out and slowing the country's fiscal consolidation.

The Moroccan Earthquake's Economic and Political Fallout

Morocco sits on the northwestern coast of Africa.  To the west is the Atlantic Ocean; to the north is Europe and Spain; to the east and south is Algeria and the Sahara Desert.  It is divided between three distinct geographic regions: the temperate plains and hills of the northern coast, the mountains and deserts of its south and and southeast, and the coastal deserts of its south.  It is bisected by the Atlas Mountains, which shield the coastlines from the desert climate of the interior.    Most of Morocco’s population lives near the coastlines of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where the climate allows for agriculture, and where trading posts thrived off trade to and from Europe.  But Morocco also has access to phosphate deposits, an important ingredient in the development of fertilizer.  But several of these mines are in the disputed Western Sahara, which has declared an unrecognized independence from Morocco.    Because it partially sits on the Mediterranean, Morocco is exposed to influence and attack from other, more powerful Mediterranean states, especially European ones.  The Roman Empire, Spain, and France all occupied Morocco for long periods of time.  Today, Morocco sees a threat from neighboring Algeria, whom it sees as a rival attempting to influence and control Moroccan affairs.    It seeks to maintain security along its desert borders, while defending against Algeria.  It also seeks to gain access to the prosperity of Europe, while avoiding being controlled by European powers.  It also must contend with a changing climate, as the Sahara Desert moves northward.  Balancing these imperatives is the geographic challenge of Morocco.

SITUATION REPORTS

France, Morocco: Macron Concludes Visit to Morocco After Inking 22 Agreements

Morocco: Akhannouch Partially Reshuffles Moroccan Cabinet

Morocco, Western Sahara, EU: European Court of Justice Invalidates 2019 EU-Morocco Trade Deals

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Algeria, France: Algeria Recalls Ambassador Over France's Western Sahara Stance

Morocco, France, Algeria: France Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Claims Over Western Sahara

Mali: Security Forces Clash With Tuareg Rebels Near Algerian Border

MENA: Arab League Summit To Formalize Conditions for Gaza Reconstruction

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