⁍ Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday ordered an investigation of what the government called planned actions to destabilise the country.

---

⁍ Tebboune has been trying to bring stability after mass protests last year toppled his predecessor.

---

⁍ The government is also keen to contain social unrest amid financial pressure caused by a sharp fall in energy earnings.

---

– Algeria’s new president has ordered an investigation into what he says are attempts to destabilize the country, Reuters reports. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected in December after mass protests forced out his predecessor, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and he has been trying to bring stability to the country. But recent events—including huge forest fires, power and water cuts, and long lines at banks and post offices—have caught his attention. “It is strange that three operations (liquidity, power and water cuts and fire) take place in the same month,” Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad said yesterday. The water shortage was caused by sabotage at a desalination plant that supplies Algiers and neighboring provinces, he said. Djerad also said the fires were deliberate and several people were caught setting them, while some electricity poles were vandalized. “There are organized actions aimed at creating discord and instability in the country,” he said. The authorities are seeking appeasement after last year’s mass marches that demanded political reforms and better living standards, with Tebboune preparing amendments to the constitution to boost freedoms and give parliament a greater role. The protests were banned earlier this year to limit coronavirus infections. Tebboune has also vowed to diversify the economy away from oil and gas, create jobs, and provide help for the poor.