Racked by economic and political pressures, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced on 18 February the dissolution of parliament, fresh parliamentary elections, an imminent cabinet reshuffle and the release of up to 60 political prisoners.
This week marked the two-year anniversary of the ‘Hirak’ protest movement which led to the downfall of long-time ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika (MEES, 5 April 2019). But Hirak has so far failed in its bid to completely uproot the ruling political system. Protestors returned to the streets in their thousands on 16 February for the first time since Covid-19 measures were implemented last March. (CONTINUED - 149 WORDS)