It came as no surprise that the outcome of Algeria’s legislative elections maintained the political status quo and registered one of the lowest turnouts in the history of ballots in the country, not exceeding 38%, according to the Interior Ministry. The rate shows the magnitude of young voter apathy in a context overshadowed by an […]
Tag: Abdelaziz Bouteflika
After Merkel and Rouhani, Bouteflika fails to meet with Cazeneuve
After Angela Merkel and Hassan Rouhani, the Algerian leader has failed to meet up with French Premier Bernard Cazeneuve last Thursday though the French leader was scheduled to meet up with the ailing Algerian leader glued to a wheel-chair since 2013, reports say. The media and sources close to the Algerian presidency denied that President […]
Algeria: Soaring Food Prices Fuel Popular Resentment
Anger and frustration are mounting in Algeria following the unprecedented increase in all food prices that hits badly the consumers in the OPEC member country. The prices of some products have become up to 1,000 pc more expensive because of speculation and structural problems. For example, garlic prices went up from 200 dinars ($ 1.8) […]
Merkel Refuses Algeria’s Invitation to Reschedule its Cancelled Visit
Angela Merkel has reportedly declined an invitation from Algerian authorities who called off in the last moment a visit by the German Chancellor last February due to the falling health of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The Algerian press reported that Merkel was very upset with the last minute cancellation of the two-day visit during which […]
Algeria: After Merkel’s, Iranian President’s visit postponed sine die
Iranian President Hassan Rohani’s March 12 visit to Algiers has been postponed sine die, few weeks after German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s February visit was called off at the last minute over health concerns of the Algerian President. The Iranian President was due to make a stopover in Algiers on his way to South Africa and […]
On Algeria’s Voluntary Isolation in Africa
The persistence of the Algerian regime on maintaining the borders closed with Morocco, along with the ardent support for the separatist thesis in the Sahara coupled with hegemonic ambitions that make other Algerian neighbors wary of Algiers’ intentions, have increased Algeria’s isolation in its immediate neighborhood: North Africa and the Sahel. By closing the borders […]
Tunisia: Presidency Slams Meeting between Mohsen Marzouk & Khalifa Haftar
Tension has flared up between the Tunisian Presidency and Machrou Tounes party after a delegation of the party led by leader Mohsen Marzouk met with Libya’s military veteran Khalifa Haftar in what turned out to be parallel diplomacy according to the presidency. Marzouk, a former strong ally of the Tunisian President, met Wednesday with the […]
Libya: Rival Sides Heading to Tunis for Talks
After the failed Egyptian diplomatic initiatives, Libyan rival camps are expected in the Tunisian capital Tunis this Thursday for talks following a tripartite summit between Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt in the Tunisian capital. All Libyan sides have approved the declaration of the mini-summit, Tunisian foreign minister Khemaïes Jhinaoui told reporters on Wednesday. Some Libyan delegations […]
Merkel Calls off Visit to Algeria Due to Bouteflika’s Failing Health
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Algeria has been postponed due to the falling health of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The two day trip was part of efforts by the German Chancellor to stem the flow of Algerian migrants and speed up the repatriation process of the Algerian nationals who failed to receive refugee status. […]
Washington Near East Policy Institute Sees Bleak Prospects for Bouteflika’s Succession
The failing health of Algeria’s President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, coupled with uncertainties surrounding his successor amid a power struggle within the country’s security apparatus bode ill for Algeria as it braces for a “contested or rocky succession,” the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said in a report. The report, which offers advice to US foreign […]








