Inside Story

North Africa’s anger

Why are the EU and the US largely ignoring the unfolding tragedy in Algeria and Tunisia?

Violent clashes continue across countries in North Africa as fury mounts against inflation and living conditions.

At least four people were shot dead and six others seriously wounded late Saturday when security forces clashed with protesters in central Tunisia.

In Algeria, three people were reported dead with more than 400 injured.

The death toll is increasing and the governments are struggling to find ways to calm tensions. Armies have been sent to control the streets, and live ammunition have been used against protesters.

Why are the EU and US watching the unfolding tragedy in North Africa with little or no reaction?

Joining us on Inside Story is Saad Djebbar, an Algerian lawyer and analyst on North African affairs; Hugh Roberts, also an analyst on North Africa and author of The Battlefield: Algeria 1988 – 2002; and Samuel Laufer, the chair of Youth Abroad in the Union for a Popular Movement.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Sunday, January 9, 2011.