Algerian change—again

A lack of leadership continuity in Algeria's energy sector is a product of the FLN's struggle to retain political power

Algerian energy minister Noureddine Boutarfa learned he'd been sacked the day that was supposed to represent his crowning achievement, with Opec's signing in Vienna on 25 May of an extension on its production cuts agreement. Nine months in the making, Opec's first such accord in eight years was completed after much shuttle diplomacy by Boutarfa. He'd initiated the process himself, winning an outline agreement on the principle of the cuts policy at an Opec meeting he hosted in Algiers last September. Then, the local papers were full of praise for their champion. Months of criss-crossing the globe followed as Boutarfa met with oil producers inside and, crucially, outside Opec, balancing each p