Hundreds of Algerians hit the streets of Algiers on 13 October to protest a government plan to pass a long-delayed new hydrocarbons law. The cabinet approved the bill anyway. Its fate is now in the hands of parliament.
Algeria’s leadership is trying to overcome the political paralysis of the last few months. Weekly demonstrations since February aimed at overthrowing ‘the system’ continue but the army has been increasingly cracking down (MEES, 20 September). Elections are now scheduled for 12 December but the protest movement is refusing to go along. (CONTINUED - 948 WORDS)
