Algeria, Africa’s biggest nation by land mass, rich with oil and gas, and a security partner to the West, is facing unrest over its president Abdelaziz Bouteflika running for a 5th term. There is rising concern the demonstrations are similar to those that ignited the 2010 Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt. Tensions in Algeria have been building for a while. Despite its resources, youth unemployment is at 30%, it is below par economically and diplomatically, and its economy could soon worsen, due to its handling of domestic gas consumption and falling state revenues.
Algeria, Africa’s biggest nation by land mass, rich with oil and gas, and a security partner to the West, is facing unrest over its president Abdelaziz Bouteflika running for a fifth term. There is rising concern the demonstrations are similar to those that ignited the 2010 Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt. Tensions in Algeria have been building for a while. Despite its resources, youth unemployment is at 30%, it is below par economically and diplomatically, and its economy could soon worsen, due to its handling of domestic gas consumption and falling state revenues.