Algeria Egypt Features Headlines

Egypt’s Old Guard Back in Power: Al-Sisi in Bouteflika’s Footsteps?

After Abdelaziz Bouteflika claimed a “crushing victory” in his bid to win a fourth term as Algeria’s leader and his main rival, Ali Benflis, has accused him of a “massive fraud”, Egypt seems to be headed to a similar scenario: While Egypt’s interim government has characterized the upcoming election as an important step towards democracy, […]

Algeria Features Headlines

Algeria’s military suffers from Islamists fatal attack

The Algerians selected Bouteflika as their president a few days ago after he campaigned on promoting security and stability in the country. His promises are being put to the test as 14 soldiers were killed in an ambush by the Islamist militants. No group has claimed responsibility but sources have hinted that the Al-Qaeda in […]

Algeria Features Headlines

Algeria’s Bouteflika Claims Victory, Opposition Claims Fraud

Supporters of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, have claimed that the incumbent president has won a “crushing victory” in his bid to win a fourth term as Algeria’s leader, while his main rival and former prime minister, Ali Benflis, has accused the former of a “massive fraud”. On Thursday (April 17), Algerians casted their ballots in the presidential […]

Algeria Features Headlines

Algeria’s Crack-Down on Protesters as Polls Begin

After Amnesty International accused the authorities in Algeria of silencing critics and stepping up curbs on freedom of expression before the presidential election to be held later this week, Human Rights Watch has also reported that Algerian authorities are now deploying large numbers of police and arresting protesters to prevent demonstrations in the capital in […]

Algeria Features Headlines

Algerian Authorities Urged to Allow Free Media Coverage of the Election

The Algerian authorities have tightened their grip on visa requests by foreign journalists. Visas for the media, which are usually issued within two weeks, have now been taking much longer in the run-up to the elections. Journalists with Spanish media (El Mundo  and Agencia EFE) and French media (L’Express, Le Point, Le Monde,  Journal du […]

Algeria Features Headlines

Bouteflika Likely to Win Despite Public Dissent

Despite unprecedented opposition protests, Algeria is likely to elect the incumbent Abdelaziz Bouteflika for his fourth term as the country’s fifth president being in office since 1999. Mr Bouteflika previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1963 to 1979, presided over the end of the Algerian Civil War in 2002, and ended emergency rule […]

Algeria Features Headlines

The Sluggish Kick-Off of Algeria’s Presidential Campaign

Although the ongoing presidential campaign in Algeria has not impressed much by now, the six candidates have recently started complaining about “irregularities”. The National Election Monitoring Committee (CNISEL) now receives complains every day at both national and local levels. According to the CNISEL’s chief, Fateh Boutbik, the complaints are mostly related to the violation of […]

Algeria Features Headlines

ALGERIA: POLICE arrests anti-Bouteflika protesters

More than a dozen anti-Bouteflika protesters have been arrested by the police ahead of a campaign rally in Tizi-Ouzou, in the Berber region of Kabylie east of the capital of the National Liberation Front (FLN). Dozens of students were angry with the 77 year old incumbent president’s desire to bid for a fourth term in […]

Algeria Egypt Headlines

Egypt wants Arab counter terrorism treaty application

Interim Egyptian president Adly Mansour has invited other member countries of the Arab League to implement the Arab counter terrorism treaty. The remarks were not directed at country but are believed to be provoked by Qatar’s decision to support the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt wants a meeting between justice and interior ministers to take place in […]

Algeria Features Headlines

Algeria: constitution and administrative reforms

After Abdelmalek Sellal’s resignation as the Prime Minister at the beginning of the month to head the campaign of President Bouteflika, hints have begun to emerge over the possible reforms to be undertaken if the latter stays in power. Constitutional and administrative reforms are high on the agenda while efforts to attract investment will be […]