The government has calmed protesters for now, but without serious reform and greater civil liberties this peace will not last
Mohamed Ben-Madani
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 16 January 2011
".....Algerian political parties are ideologically split over fundamental reforms. Those in favour are too weak to implement any change. Civil society is not allowed to flourish. The ruling elite pays no attention to people's wellbeing and thinks the leadership has been elected to last for ever.
Last June, Bouteflika appointed a new cabinet and for the first time he created a new post of deputy prime minister for his old friend, Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, who was the interior minister before the reshuffle.
However, last September, according to my sources, Zerhouni asked Bouteflika to consider an early retirement (friendly advice, one would think). Next day, he was told not to come to the Council of Ministers meeting and since then has not been seen around the president.
What will Bouteflika do now? Aged 74 and in poor health, is he capable of taking decisions and the country forward, given the struggle for succession within his cabinet? During the last protest, Algerians were demanding more respect, jobs, freedom and no more of the iron fist.
The regime has succeeded in calming the situation for now, but without serious reforms, for how long? There remains the risk that trouble will begin again – especially in view of the uprising in Tunisia next door."
Mohamed Ben-Madani
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 16 January 2011
".....Algerian political parties are ideologically split over fundamental reforms. Those in favour are too weak to implement any change. Civil society is not allowed to flourish. The ruling elite pays no attention to people's wellbeing and thinks the leadership has been elected to last for ever.
Last June, Bouteflika appointed a new cabinet and for the first time he created a new post of deputy prime minister for his old friend, Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, who was the interior minister before the reshuffle.
However, last September, according to my sources, Zerhouni asked Bouteflika to consider an early retirement (friendly advice, one would think). Next day, he was told not to come to the Council of Ministers meeting and since then has not been seen around the president.
What will Bouteflika do now? Aged 74 and in poor health, is he capable of taking decisions and the country forward, given the struggle for succession within his cabinet? During the last protest, Algerians were demanding more respect, jobs, freedom and no more of the iron fist.
The regime has succeeded in calming the situation for now, but without serious reforms, for how long? There remains the risk that trouble will begin again – especially in view of the uprising in Tunisia next door."
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