Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika carried out a slight ministerial reshuffle on 23 July which concerned technical ministries.

The minister of Trade Amara Benyounès, who had also led negotiations with the World Trade Organisation, has been replaced by Bekhti Bélaïb, who had previously held the office in the 90’s. An old opponent now rallied to Bouteflika, Mr Benyounès leads a small local political party.

The minister of Fisheries Sid Ahmed Ferroukhi had the Agriculture portfolio added to his charge, which had until then been headed by Abdelkader Khadi.

El Hadi Ouali, former opponent who had fought in the Berber cultural movement then rallied to Bouteflika, was appointed minister of Youth and Sports, replacing Abdelader Khomri, suffering from poor health for some time.

Mr Bouteflika, re-elected for a fourth term in April 2014, had already carried out a cabinet reshuffle last 14 May which affected many more important ministries, including Internal Affairs and Energy.

The two reshuffles come as this vast oil-producing country in Northern Africa is faced with difficulties attributable to the drop in the price of crude oil which penalises its financial resources and to the political instability at the border with Libya, where a civil war is raging.