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| Algerians skeptical of Police Chief Assassination Report |
The Algerian Government struggled to contain the early news versions of the attack. Some of the first reports published in popular Algerian Websites stated that Colonel Oultache attacked Mr. Tounsi to protest his transfer to a different region; next day several Algerian news papers charged that the Colonel attacked his boss once he learned of his possible firing as a result of a corruption investigation. In More ominous news reports, some observers noted that for months Mr. Tounsi relations with his own boss, Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, were souring, leveling veiled and serious accusations against the Minister. In the midst of these conspiratorial theories, Mrs. Tounsi came out denying reports alleging that her husband did not have a troubled rapport with his murder. The Algerian people who have been victimized by political violence during the country’s fight against Islamic militants during the 1990s have grown accustomed to such carnage, however, the violent death of a such high profile personality was disturbing and worrisome to many Algerians. Furthermore, the timing of the attack is significant considering several recent alarming political developments regarding close allies to Algerian President. The death of Mr. Tounsi took the climate of political tension to a higher level. Some observers are linking the death of such high ranking officer to the broader anti-corruption campaign currently underway in Algeria. On the face of it, the attack on Mr. Tounsi, who is known of being hardworking and dedicated, does not fit in the context of the ongoing power struggle between the Algerian Presidential team in one corner and the Military in the other. Nevertheless, the dramatic death of the chief on the National Police put the mêlée between President Bouteflika and Tewfik - his real name is Mohamed Mediene -the chief of military intelligence (DRS) under national and international spotlights. The Algerian press has been buzzing about speculations on the actual motivations behind the highly publicize corruption investigations into the finances and management at Algeria's national oil company, Sonatrach. Even more distrustful are allegations of corruption in the office of the the Minister of Transport, Amar Ghoul, close aid to the President. The fact that a military investigating unit has initiated such controversial campaigns against intimate aides to the President of the Republic is viewed by many Algerians as an attempt by the DRS to weaken the power of the presidency. It has been reported that DRS chief, Mr. Mediene, was not happy with the decision of President Bouteflika to appoint his brother Said as a personal advisor. The DRS which had a hand in deciding the name of past Presidents, regarded the appointment as an attempt by President Bouteflika to position his young sibling as the potential next President of Algeria and subverting the role and power of the Military establishment in the process. Mr. Mediene who lost to death or retirement most of his long time allies feels besieged by Mr. Bouteflika’s trusties. To counter attack, President Bouteflika is reportedly scheduled to announce the formation of a commission to investigate the 1990’s political killings of high ranking Algerian politicians and members of the Military establishment. As a pay back to the DRS which dared to target his “people”, the Bouteflika camp is taking the dangerous and unpredictable route to opening the touchy subject of the DRS role in the killing of Algerian patriots such as the great Algerian and North African hero, President Boudiaf. Still unconfirmed, but if President Bouteflika decides to forge ahead with the decisive but perilous decision to uncover the DRS role in such dirty operations, Algeria and the rest of the region will suffer unspeakable consequences. Furthermore, rumors surrounding the declining health of President Bouteflika have been playing in the background of these highly explosive security and political developments. As President Bouteflika gradually becomes physical unfit to govern, the mini wars between the DRS and the Presidents allies will intensify with potentially catastrophic consequences for Algerians and their neighbors. The power struggle between the two pillars of political authority in Algeria is more than an Algerian internal affair, it is a regional concern that worries Algeria’s friends.  Author: Hassan Masiky is a native of Kenitra, Morocco. He graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a degree in political science in 1991. Upon graduation,Hassan joined the Washington DC based non government organization the Parliamentary Human Rights Foundation (PHRF) where he worked as a consultant for USAID democracy projects in Mexico, Haiti, Republic of Georgia and the European Parliament. After leaving PHRF, Hassan dedicated his time advising Amnesty International USA on African and Middle Eastern affairs and representing the organization in press conferences. Mr. Masiky was a host on several television shows discussing human rights and democracy. He is currently working for a Federal Agency in the Washington area.
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Morcelli
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hile MoroccoBoard.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. MoroccoBoard.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
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Bouteflika is not yet dead This is all bunch of speculations. No one can tell the motive of this killing except the murderer himself. It is simply bunch of bologna that the Algerian media throws out there when they are not busy going after Morocco. Until Bouteflika is dead, there is no hope. Moroccans are waiting for his death but unfortunately the French saved his ass. |
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