New Chapter: The “Non-Maghreb” and Transnational Clandestine Flows from the Sahel Region

Delighted to be included in a great ISPI monograph: ‘The Cost of “Non-Maghreb”: Unpacking the Political and Economic Costs of Disunion and Divisions.’

My chapter, titled ‘The “Non-Maghreb” and Transnational Clandestine Flows from the Sahel Region,’ focuses on clandestine flows connecting the Sahel and Maghreb. It traces current dynamics around the smuggling of commodities, drugs and arms, and the movement of migrants, terrorists and mercenaries.

The chapter next turns to the structural factors which impede efforts by Maghrebi and Sahelien states to address these flows, including the structure of illicit markets, limited intra-state coordination, the growth of uncontrolled territories, and poor state relations with border communities.

The chapter ends with a brief set of policy recommendations. It can be accessed here.

New Report: The Challenge of Coordinating Border Management Assistance between Europe and the Maghreb

I'm delighted to announce the publication of my new report, 'The Challenge of Coordinating Border Management Assistance between Europe and the Maghreb.'

Written for the Migration Policy Institute’s Transatlantic Council on Migration, the report examines the border security situation within the Maghreb and the efforts of the European Union and its member states to address challenges stemming from a complex migration picture and differing perspectives and policy priorities of Maghrebi and European policymakers. It offers lessons and recommendations as Europe commits new resources to build Maghrebi state capacity to reduce irregular migration and address border security challenges such as transnational terrorism and human, arms and drug smuggling.

A PDF of the report is attached and can also be accessed here: www.migrationpolicy.org/research/border-management-europe-maghreb.

Podcast: Tunisia: Political Unrest and the Illicit Economy

In a new podcast from the Global Initiative, I dig into why and how irregular migration from Tunisia has surged over the last 12 months, and forecast what we can expect in 2021.

Addition segments of the podcast feature Hiba Tlili, discussing Tunisia’s political crisis, and Dr. Dalia Ghanem discussing her work on women and smuggling on the Tunisia-Algeria border.

The podcast can be accessed here: Tunisia: Political Unrest and the Illicit Economy.

Report: Securing and Stabilising Borders in North and West Africa

Securing border areas is very different from other parts of a country and needs tailored security sector reform programming. This report delves into some of the idiosyncratic elements of the borders environment, and offers brief recommendations on approaches which can help to better tailor SSR programmes in those areas.

It is available here.