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. Merkel refused to schedule another visit to Algeria in 2017 on grounds of her “busy agenda,” writes the Algerian press. After several months away from public appearance, renewed health rumors are fueling speculation over the future of President Bouteflika, an octogenarian leader in power for nearly two decades. Few weeks after canceling Merkel’s visit, Algerian authorities apologized to a Spanish delegation and to the Iranian President for the President incapacity to meet them. The juncture forced the country to take spending-cut reforms that may have serious repercussions on Algeria’s social peace.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 20, 2017 16:52 UTC