Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing?

HASSAN MASIKY

01/07/11

 New York /  Morocco Board News- The security situation in Algeria keeps deteriorating creating a sense of political uncertainty around the future of the government of Prime Minister (PM) Ahmed Ouyahia and the solvability of  the Presidency of Bouteflika. As of Friday afternoon, neither the Prime Minister nor the President of the Republic has made public appearances. As the Algerian leaders remain absent, rumors alluding to “internal elements” directing and encouraging the riots to push PM Ouyahia out of office in disgrace are gaining ground.  Some Algerian commentators insist that the protests did not start spontaneously but have been rather planned by elements keen on controlling who will succeed the ailing Bouteflika.

Algerian commentators are suspicious of the timing of the protests since some of the price hikes that provoked the social unrest were initiated during the holly month of Ramadan, which ended in September. Adding to the flurry of speculations around the identity of the “hidden hands” driving the violence, the Algerian press is pointing the finger to food speculators, wealthy developers and family members of current politicians and high-ranking military officers who benefits from food price hikes and new housing projects.

  Other Algerian observers point out to the nomination of Said Bouteflika, the brother of the President, as a chairman of a new political party as a motive for to some elements that consider this coronation as prelude to a Bouteflika II presidency.

In Morocco, the public sympathizes with the protesters but worry about the security, stability and unity of Algeria. Moroccan observers are weary about the political and security ramifications of a possible “white coup d’état” against Bouteflika. The Moroccan street feels and understands the pain and suffering of the average Algerian.

As clashes continue in Oran not far from the borders with Morocco and in Algiers, riots have been reported ,for the first  time, in the city of Tizi Ouzou where police have been battling dozens of youths burning tires, destroying public property,  and  erecting barricades in several street. In the afternoon of Friday, scattered groups of protesters took over several neighborhoods in localities in the wilaya of Bejaia, according to witness accounts reported in the Algerian press.  The police seem outnumbered and incapable of controlling the large number of crowds.

The expansion of violence to the Kabyle region is a dangerous development that could have far-reaching consequences on the stability and the unity of Algeria. In a fiery statement, Mr. Said Sad , the leader of the RCD (the main Kabyle Party), accused the government of “negligence” and “incompetence”. Mr. Sadi had warned President Bouteflika of possible social unrest if the government does not address the social demands of the average Algerian. 

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Comments (15)  

 

0 #1 I wish for peace — Karolyn 2011-01-07 11:40

I am worried for my love and my friends in Algeria. Please take care of your people!

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0 #2 Hungry?? — Laila 2011-01-07 16:36

I could not believe that the sister nation is hungry!!!how did it happened??.

All that I can say is shame on the irresponsibles! !!!!!!!!

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0 #3 Algerians want sugar — Morcelli 2011-01-07 20:14

english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/01/20111881741247678.html

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0 #4 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — Said Hassib 2011-01-07 21:08

Have you ever heard of the old saying what goes around comes around, WELL, that is exactly what has happened, remember Just few weeks ago the Algerians ( our brothers!!!!! like hell ) were laughing and celebrating to what happened in Morocco. So the best thing to do now is sit back and feel pity for the hungry Algerians. No wonder BOUTAFLIKA is keen to keep the borders close. Can you imagine what the ALgerians will do to him when they discover Morocco is 1000% better than their backward country

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0 #5 whoever digs a hole for an other might fall in it. — Marroki 2011-01-07 23:25

The Algerians want to help the mercenaries of the desert and create unrest in Morocco. Here we go. Deal with the unrest in the heart of Algeria. So much for human rights protection and helping others. Why don't you help yourselves first and become human-righteous first before trying to help the Sahraouis.

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0 #6 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — DJAZAIR 2011-01-08 04:00

So according to you guys, Moroccans have a better living conditions than Algerians, With all due respect, i am originally from the border region and we have hundreds of Moroccans that cross the border illegally looking for work in construction and cleaning businesses.
Its not a question of hunger dear friends, its question of mentality and the Algerian mentality is a revolting one that does not accept Oppression and what's happening in Algeria is that prices went up 30 to 50% in a week due a combination of the TVA imposed by the GOV and the world prices.
So dear " brother" you guys can rejoice all you want, just take a deep look at your backyard before talking junk about Algerians.
Again, as i said it, its a question of mentality, some mentalities are used and trained to be oppressed and some are not.

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0 #7 Feed your own people first.. — Obori 2011-01-08 12:02

Djazair... You really think Moroccans are used to being oppressed? They had their share of rioting in 1981 and 1990. It was ugly and people died. What we have in Algeria is different - rich country with poor people. Algeria is just another Nigeria. The only issue Moroccans have against Algeria is its blind support of the Polisario. Algeria is not letting Morocco advance but at the end both nations suffer.
Morocco has two good excuses: hidden war for the Sahara and lack of oil and gas. What does Algeria have as excuses outside mismanagement, wide corruption and interfering in other's internal affairs?
God bless us all..

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0 #8 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — said hassib 2011-01-08 18:36

Mr DJAZAIR I see , Mr Boutiflika old propaganda has done it wonders. The problem with you guys is that somehow you believe you are some kind of noble, freedom seekers and Algeria is the promised land, well you are wrong, just have a look at the UN reposts , Boutiflika is not feeding you enough food so he makes up with crap propaganda. Only the oppressed and the hungry like you revolt . My advice to you Mr djazair make a trip to morocco and see for yourself. As for the borders, i have seen many Algerians not looking for jobs but begging for few Dirhams

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0 #9 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — borsa 2011-01-08 21:16

@DJAZAIR

Your own citizens cannot even afford to buy cooking oil and sugar so I think it should be obvious to you that quality of life would be drastically affected - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

You and your ilk came on this site boasting about Algerian wealth, yet the world sees video of violent protests across algeria that have already cost the lives of 3 people and hundreds injured. So much for algerian wealth and prosperity.

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0 #10 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — Djamel 2011-01-09 09:19

So according to you guys, Moroccans have a better living conditions than Algerians, With all due respect, i am originally from the border region and we have hundreds of Moroccans that cross the border illegally looking for work in construction and cleaning businesses.
Its not a question of hunger dear friends, its question of mentality and the Algerian Quote:

mentality is a revolting one that does not accept Oppression and what's happening in Algeria is that prices went up 30 to 50% in a week due a combination of the TVA imposed by the GOV and the world prices.
So dear " brother" you guys can rejoice all you want, just take a deep look at your backyard before talking junk about Algerians.
Again, as i said it, its a question of mentality, some mentalities are used and trained to be oppressed and some are not.

It's definitely not for you or I to judge which country has a better standard of living, for that we have the UN to thank. According to the human development index both Algeria and Tunisia are and have always been decades ahead of Morocco, so the fact that Moroccans accept to live in what is considered as extreme poverty elsewhere could either be attributed to a docile mentality or a less educated and mostly rural population.

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0 #11 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — Ayoub Kabli 2011-01-10 02:04

Dear Moroccan and Algerians,

I can not believe how you guys putting each other down. all north Africans should be united against oppression,corr uption and injustice that we all suffer under few elements who only seek the betterment for themselves.we should first break the wall that was set between our countries by the previous colonizers.and we should also delete the imaginary line in our head that keep diving us as one.I have always dreamed of the day where I can drive from Casablanca to Alger stopping at every town in between,and speak freely.because one thing North Africans are hungry for,it is not food my dear brothers and sisters. it is freedom.
Love and peace shall united us all.InshaAllah.

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-1 #12 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — Morcelli 2011-01-10 08:33

I hate to break it to you, North Africa will never get freedom at least in our lifetime, We have police who are stupid and killing their own for the benefit of the few.

you cannot be dumb and free, only intelligent people are free like in the US and Europe and some in Asia.
Arabs deserve to be ruled like sheep. Be honest with yourself.

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0 #13 Sugar is sweeter than polisario — Khalifornian 2011-01-11 06:45

Hey algerians: 98% of your earnings come from petropgas, and you still can't afford the basic necessities. Your stalinist military regime from hell, dressed in business suits, will end up just like the soviet union: it will arm and militarize itself into bankruptcy. its strategies are outdated and it is now using oil/gas proceeds to buy itself out of economic trouble. go figure!!! OPEN THE BORDER AND ABANDON THIS POLISARIO IDEA. algeria has more than 35 million people and morocco has more than 45 millions. your government is compromising the future of at least 80,000,000 so that "50,000" sahraouis could have a republic, because the algerian war party "FLN" says it is a matter of "principle". which one is a higher principle??? assuring the well being of dozens of moroccans and algerians or the well being of a few thousands who want to exercise their self determination at the expense of everyone and everything. DAMMIT!!! THINK MAN!

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+1 #14 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Algeria: A white "coup d’état" in the offing? — Ayoub Kabli 2011-01-12 23:27

Morcelli.if Arabs are sheep.what is that makes you? a Goat? if you are not proud of your roots that's your choice.but don't you put all Arabs in the same basket.and yes there are a lot of ill informed people in Morocco but you have no right to call them dumb.by doing so,it only reflect on your pessimist attitude toward a bright future.also by thinking that only America and Europe have intelligent people that tells me a lot about your lack of knowledge about history.
If Americans elected Bush tow times? what those that tells you about them? honest.
come good.

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0 #15 Morocco and Algeria — CR 2011-01-13 06:50

I have lived both in Algeria and Morocco and I love both countries and its people.Both have so much to offer the world.It amazes me that Muslim against Muslim attitude.When I was living in Marrakech I had Algerian friends come and stay with me and they fell in love with the people and saw that the Moroccans are their brothers and sisters.Both nations have a very talented young population that are so clever and wonderful.Pleas e start at home and look after each other not only as race but a region of North Africa.Do not put up with the corruption of your governments but please look out for each other and make it work.
I will be watching and praying from London.
Yala hoyers

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