For the past two weeks, Algeria's more than 40 million people have been facing a severe shortage of couscous semolina after rumours spread on social media sparked panic buying. In Sale, near the capital Rabat, two "ex-convicts" posed as public employees taking part in an awareness-raising campaign in order to commit thefts, local media reported. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rabat warned on March 30 of individuals fraudulently posing as members of its staff. Dozens of people have been questioned in Morocco over accusations of spreading "false rumours" linked to the coronavirus pandemic on social media. Algeria is the worst-hit of the three North African countries, with 205 officially declared deaths and 1,572 cases of infection.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 09, 2020 10:41 UTC