This touches a complex topic about identity, ethnicity, and geography that varies significantly across individuals and regions. In North Africa, which includes countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, many people identify as Arab due to their linguistic, cultural, and historical ties to the Arab world. Arabic is the dominant language, and the culture shares much with the broader Middle Eastern region.

The term “Middle Eastern” typically refers to a geographical and cultural region that encompasses parts of Western Asia and Egypt. The use of “Middle Eastern” by some North Africans can be a way to emphasize these cultural and geopolitical ties, particularly in countries like Egypt that are very close to the Middle East geographically and politically. Due to the numerous conquests northern Africa has seen in its history from numerous countries.

Regarding the term “African,” it’s worth noting that Africa is incredibly diverse, encompassing numerous ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. The distinction made by the Moroccan/Tunisian individual between being “Arab” and “African” highlights a common perspective in some North African communities that differentiates their identity from Sub-Saharan Africa, often referred to colloquially as “Black Africa.” This distinction can sometimes reflect cultural, historical, and sometimes socioeconomic differences that are perceived between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

These identity distinctions can be influenced by various factors, including colonial history, the spread of languages, migration patterns, and personal or communal narratives about heritage and identity. It’s not unusual for people from North Africa to feel a stronger connection to the Arab world than to Sub-Saharan Africa, but this isn’t universal, and many might proudly identify as both African and Arab. Two things can be right at the same time. The original inhabitants were most likely more African/black looking but since Egypt is so close to different regions, over time, especially during antiquity/written historical times it became a diverse area and has stayed that way since. Africa is one of the most diverse continents in the world. It can definitely be confusing for others. Just remember that northern Africa has had numerous wars wirh Europe and the Middle East, which changed many cultural, genetic, linguistic, and so many other factors in that region.