Introduction

Political stability plays a central role in shaping the social, economic, and diplomatic future of any region. In the context of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), this factor becomes even more critical due to the region’s strategic importance, historical tensions, and ongoing transitions. The infographic titled “Political Stability in North Africa” visually represents the rankings of countries in the region based on their level of stability and terrorism rates, using a scale from 1 (most stable) to 10 (least stable).

From Morocco’s relative calm to Sudan’s political turmoil, the data reveals a complex picture of contrast, resilience, and volatility.

Ranking Overview

According to the visualization:

• Morocco ranks 1.5, indicating the highest political stability and the lowest terrorism rate among North African nations.

• Algeria follows at 3, showing relatively strong institutional control.

• Tunisia is positioned at 4, still recovering from years of democratic transition and economic uncertainty.

• Egypt ranks 5, reflecting a moderate level of control but underlying tensions.

• Libya scores 7, highlighting deep-seated instability due to civil conflict and fragmented governance.

• Sudan ranks 9, representing the lowest political stability and highest terrorism threat in the region.

Factors Behind the Numbers

Morocco’s Edge

Morocco benefits from a constitutional monarchy with centralized authority and a strong counterterrorism policy, leading to greater stability.

Post-Revolution Transitions

Tunisia and Egypt continue to grapple with the aftereffects of the Arab Spring—balancing reform, public expectation, and economic challenges.

Civil Conflict and Fragmentation

Libya and Sudan remain highly unstable due to prolonged internal conflicts, weak governance, and foreign interference.

Strategic Implications for the Middle East

Though geographically North African, these countries are deeply integrated into Middle Eastern political and security dialogues. Their stability, or lack thereof, affects:

• Migration routes and refugee flows

• Energy markets and trade dynamics

• Counterterrorism cooperation across the Arab world

Thus, understanding political risk in North Africa is essential for shaping broader Middle Eastern stability.

Analysis

The variation in rankings highlights multiple patterns:

• Economic Correlation: Higher economic development and institutional strength often parallel political stability, as seen in the case of Morocco.

• Democratic Transitions Are Fragile: Countries undergoing democratization, such as Tunisia and Sudan, often face temporary instability during reform periods.

• Security Vacuum Consequences: Libya’s instability since 2011 has not only affected its own population but also enabled arms trafficking and extremist movements across borders.

Conclusion

The Political Stability in North Africa infographic paints a vivid picture of a region in flux—where some nations are strengthening, while others are still seeking direction. These dynamics do not exist in a vacuum; they ripple through the Middle East, influencing everything from diplomacy to defense strategy.

As efforts continue to support peacebuilding and governance in the region, one lesson is clear: true stability is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of trust, structure, and opportunity.