Read on Twitter
The #Maghreb and the #Sahara are back to the agenda. It's a good occasion to share this article: Ten reasons why the Maghreb is pivoting to #Africa. Check this THREAD for the key ideas and a selection for further reading below. 
https://www.iemed.org/observatori/arees-danalisi/arxius-adjunts/anuari/med.2020/Maghreb_Pivots_to_Africa_Eduard_Soler_IEMed_YearBook2020_.pdf
https://www.iemed.org/observatori/arees-danalisi/arxius-adjunts/anuari/med.2020/Maghreb_Pivots_to_Africa_Eduard_Soler_IEMed_YearBook2020_.pdf
1. Weight: Africa's population is 1.4 billion people and this number is expected to be doubled by 2050. This is accompanied by the rapid economic growth and it's changing Africa’s position in world affairs as well as the interests of the #Maghreb countries towards it.
2. Perceptions: a new wave of #afro-optimism is spreading through Africa, encouraging regional and international partners to see the continent as a major opportunity. #Morocco’s African policy is a good example with a leading role of the business sector.... and the king
3. Regionalism. The @AfricanUnion has become more relevant in its role of delivering African solution. And Morocco is back to the AU. The pan-African free trade area, @AfCfta, is also expected to significantly boost intra-African trade.
4. The #Maghreb is a transit and destination region for sub-Saharan African migrants. #Morocco 
alone is hosting 700,000 sub-Saharan migrants within the country.
alone is hosting 700,000 sub-Saharan migrants within the country.
5. International players closely monitor the situation in the the #Sahel and some have deployed troops. Maghreb countries are well-aware of the (in)security nexus between both regions, particularly since Libya 2011 and Mali 2012 crises.
6. Libya is a battleground for regional and extra-regional players. Acute competition between 
vs 
. Sub-Saharan African and Maghreb states complain that they are given too small a role in the attempt to put an end to this conflict. 
compete in the mediation front.
vs . Sub-Saharan African and Maghreb states complain that they are given too small a role in the attempt to put an end to this conflict. compete in the mediation front.
7. Bipolarity. The decades-old rivalry between Algeria and Morocco is an obstacle for integration in the Maghreb and spills over to Africa. Both countries are using their foreign policy toolkits (military, religion, business, infrastructures) to expand their areas of influence
8. Multipolarity: (re)emerged powers such as China, Turkey, India, Russia and the Gulf countries are part of the new scramble for africa. Maghreb countries are part of this competition but also try to take advantage from it
9. Europe. The 
and are also trying to preserve their traditional influence in Africa. Maghreb countries are well aware of the growing interest for Africa of their European neigbours and try to position in a central position. 
and are also trying to preserve their traditional influence in Africa. Maghreb countries are well aware of the growing interest for Africa of their European neigbours and try to position in a central position.
10. Pandemic. #COVID19 has pushed African economies to revisit their industrialisation plans with a regional approach. Morocco is one of the frontrunners and boosted the export of medical equipment to their African neighbours.
If you liked the thread and the article, you should then read the piece that @iswerenfelsi has just published for @SWP_MEA https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/publication/maghrebi-rivalries-over-sub-saharan-africa/
Then, you may continue (re)reading @AnthonyDworkin excellent piece for @ecfr that also looked at the drivers of the reorientation of the foreign policy priorities of the Maghreb + Egypt. https://ecfr.eu/publication/a_return_to_africa_why_north_african_states_are_looking_south/
I'm sure you'll find @ChloeTvan article in the same edition of @IEMed_ yearbook super useful. It focuses on EU-Africa and COVID:
https://www.iemed.org/observatori/arees-danalisi/arxius-adjunts/anuari/med.2020/EU_Africa_Partnership_Covid19_Chloe_Teevam_IEMed_YearBook2020.pdf
https://www.iemed.org/observatori/arees-danalisi/arxius-adjunts/anuari/med.2020/EU_Africa_Partnership_Covid19_Chloe_Teevam_IEMed_YearBook2020.pdf
This article by @mhlarramendi has been a major source of inspiration for this article and many more. Don't miss it. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13629387.2018.1454657?journalCode=fnas20
Also from 2018, check this @ECDPM paper by @Tasnim_Tn and @fatenaggad https://ecdpm.org/publications/starting-afresh-maghreb-sub-saharan-africa/
On the Sahel, have you read @euromesco policy study edited by @DaliaZinaGhanem? Just do it.
https://www.euromesco.net/publication/the-sahel-europes-african-borders/
https://www.euromesco.net/publication/the-sahel-europes-african-borders/
Also on @euromesco policy study, infrastructures and power in the Mediterranean with @silvius_colombo @VicoSalama @FlorenceGaub @laura_basagni @lotjeboswinkel and Ahmed Kandil. Check the parts on ports and aviation if interested in the Maghreb-Africa nexus
https://www.euromesco.net/publication/infrastructures-and-power-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-2/
https://www.euromesco.net/publication/infrastructures-and-power-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-2/
On terrorism in the Sahel and the Maghreb, @MenaraH2020 produced great stuff like this paper by Djallil Lounnas: http://menara.iai.it/portfolio-items/jihadist-groups-in-north-africa-and-the-sahel-between-disintegration-reconfiguration-and-resilience/
On Libya and North Africa, my colleague @FrancisGhiles and @secretdifa3 also published this insightful paper for @CidobBarcelona http://www.cidob.org/es/publicaciones/serie_de_publicacion/notes_internacionals_cidob/n1_227/how_libya_impacts_north_africa
If you are still here, it means that you already know @michaeltanchum and his excellent work on these topics. But just in case, let me point at this piece on https://www.aies.at/publikationen/2020/fokus-20-08.php
https://www.aies.at/publikationen/2020/fokus-20-08.php
And again from @michaeltanchum. I just regret not to have read it earlier! https://www.aies.at/publikationen/2020/fokus-20-10.php
In Spanish, we also have the Africa annual reports by @egaime & @itxasdo for @funalternativas
https://www.fundacionalternativas.org/las-publicaciones/informes/informe-africa-2020-transformaciones-movilizacion-y-continuidad
https://www.fundacionalternativas.org/las-publicaciones/informes/informe-africa-2020-transformaciones-movilizacion-y-continuidad
For the broader picture, check this @POMEPS report on Africa in the Middle East with articles, among others, by @abuaardvark @LBenabdallah and @W_Lacher . https://pomeps.org/pomeps-studies-40-africa-and-the-middle-east-beyond-the-divides
If you want to look eastwards, then read this @CrisisGroup report on a topic which has become even more relevant: https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula/206-intra-gulf-competition-africas-horn-lessening-impact
Too much reading. Why not a podcast? Let me suggest this one by @MaxGallien. https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cc960dc3-dc47-471d-b25c-5629f69f7887
I'll with some self-publicty: a piece on the place of the Maghreb in the new Africa policy of the EU that I wrote for @CidobBarcelona with the support of @MAECgob.
Hope you found the threat and ressources useful and feel free to suggest additional ones https://www.cidob.org/en/publications/publication_series/notes_internacionals/n1_228/the_maghreb_and_the_european_bid_for_africa
Hope you found the threat and ressources useful and feel free to suggest additional ones https://www.cidob.org/en/publications/publication_series/notes_internacionals/n1_228/the_maghreb_and_the_european_bid_for_africa
