Middle East & North Africa

The workshop in Amman was the second in a series devoted to analyzing issues related to Jordan’s socio-economic reforms and foreign policy. Mid-level experts who work in the field of policy analysis and advice in think tanks, academic research institutions, and comparable organizations discussed options for action together with decision-makers. The participants had previously attended a workshop in Berlin in April 2019.

Grievances have been growing over Jordan’s socio-economic and political problems, including high public debt, a significant current account deficit, and high unemployment. In June 2018, former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki was forced to resign after mass protests swept the country. Jordan’s socio-economic challenges are further amplified by its difficult external environment. An interconnected rather than separate challenge, it has resulted in a significant influx of refugees and a more difficult trade and investment environment.

Grievances have been growing over Jordan’s socio-economic and political problems, including high public debt, a significant current account deficit, and high unemployment. In June 2018, former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki was forced to resign after mass protests swept the country. Jordan’s socio-economic challenges are further amplified by its difficult external environment. An interconnected rather than separate challenge, it has resulted in a significant influx of refugees and a more difficult trade and investment environment.

The workshop in Rabat was the second in a series devoted to analyzing Morocco’s regional policy in Sub-Sahara Africa as well as its approach to tackling radicalization and violent extremism. Mid-level experts working in the field of policy analysis and advice in think tanks, academic research institutions, and comparable organizations were brought together with decision-makers from Morocco and the European Union to discuss options for action in the field. The participants had previously attended another workshop in Berlin on December 8-11, 2018.

The workshop in Rabat was the second in a series devoted to analyzing Morocco’s regional policy in Sub-Sahara Africa as well as its approach to tackling radicalization and violent extremism. Mid-level experts working in the field of policy analysis and advice in think tanks, academic research institutions, and comparable organizations were brought together with decision-makers from Morocco and the European Union to discuss options for action in the field. The participants had previously attended another workshop in Berlin on December 8-11, 2018.

The past years have seen a reorientation of Morocco’s regional foreign policy and an acceleration of Morocco’s economic integration with Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, socio-economic challenges at home persist and have reinforced domestic economic and political grievances, which have also acted as key drivers of radicalization. Consequently, some have criticized the increasing investments in countries south of the Sahara and called for greater domestic engagement to improve the country’s situation.