Simon Speakman Cordall

Simon Speakman Cordall is a Tunis-based journalist. On Twitter: @IgnitionUK

Tunisia | Sep 16, 2019

Tunisia ousts old political class as newcomers head for runoff in presidential poll

Independent candidates Kais Saied and Nabil Karoui have emerged from the first round of Tunisia's presidential race.

Algeria | Aug 16, 2019

Could Algeria’s army pull a coup d’etat?

As the crackdown of senior regime figures perceived as having fallen too close to the orbit of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika continues, one of its more prominent figures, retired Gen. and former Defense Minister Khaled Nezzar, has called upon the army to revolt.

Algeria | Aug 2, 2019

Mediation rejected as Algeria’s protests march on

Algeria’s army chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah rejected conditions put forth by protesters for talks to end the political crisis; the conditions include the release of people arrested during the demonstrations and the removal of checkpoints erected around the capital, Algiers.

Tunisia | Jul 25, 2019

Tunisian president's death leaves conflicted legacy, unclear future

The ultimate measure of late President Beji Caid Essebsi's rule may be the seamless transfer of power to a new Tunisian president.

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi attends a summit between Arab league and European Union member states, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, February 24, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - RC1131697370

Algeria | Jul 22, 2019

Algeria victory in Africa Cup fuels protest movement

With Algerians continuing to protest the political elite, the state tried to win points by co-opting the national fervor over soccer, which is intrinsically linked to the Hirak movement, subsidizing travel to shuttle fans to see the national team play in the Confederation of African Football final in Cairo.

Algeria | Jul 9, 2019

Algeria’s Hirak presses on with unparalleled achievements

Algeria’s popular protests, or Hirak, entered their 20th week on July 5, with thousands of demonstrators flooding city streets.

Tunisia | Jun 25, 2019

Algeria's Hirak marches on in the face of official warnings

Algeria’s predominantly young protesters have proven resistant to any attempt to hijack their cause and bend it to any end but their own.

Algeria | Jun 7, 2019

Election delay fueling Algerian protesters’ fire

With the postponement of presidential elections in Algeria, the political class has ignored the constitution, undermining the credibility of interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and the influence of army chief Gen. Gaid Salah.

People take part in an anti-government protest in Algiers, Algeria May 31, 2019. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina - RC12CDA69950

Algeria | May 24, 2019

Postponing Algeria's elections comes with opportunities, but also risks

There is a growing likelihood that elections in Algeria will be postponed until later this year, which could give the popular movement more time to craft an agenda, but also allow the interim power structure to remain in place.