The Difficulties of North African Reform

Tunisia's nonagenarian president has taken ill. The country's newly minted constitution, however, isn't providing much help in illuminating the way forward.

A protest movement that won't take no for an answer poses a conundrum for the country's entrenched powers, which must decide whether and how much to give. Another delayed election creates the conditions for a possible showdown between the two sides.

Attempts to unseat the long-ailing president have failed before, but his increasing decrepitude and rising public discontent might be enough to garner parliamentary support this time.

As protests continue, the country's ruling stakeholders are tackling the difficult question of how to hand off power to a new generation.

Regardless of whether the protests worsen, the president's era is coming to an end.

Even if its aging president wins re-election, Algeria's fading economy will likely force the government to reform its policies and open up to the rest of the world.

The North African country has been using its newfound financial muscle to project power across the continent, increasing investment in regions that European banks now tend to avoid.

While widespread economic protests represent a threat, they are currently unlikely to topple President Omar al Bashir's government or halt his campaign in 2020.

Three years after an agreement to foster greater integration, Libya seems no closer to eliminating its deep divisions.