Sudden Belkhadem ouster raises questions in Algeria

2008-06-25

When Algerian President Bouteflika re-shuffled his cabinet by replacing Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem with Ahmed Ouyahia, the public and the press were quick to posit theories as to his reason. Possibilities range from early strategising for the next presidential election to facilitating closer ties with the West.

By Said Jameh for Magharebia in Algiers – 25/06/08

[Said Jameh] Former Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem (left) talking with newly-named successor and veteran leader Ahmed Ouyahia (right). The sudden change has raised many questions among Algerians.

In a surprise move for many, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika dismissed Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem on Monday (June 23rd), naming Ahmed Ouyahia as his successor. The sudden change raises many questions about the leader's motives.

On taking office, Ouyahia called his appointment a "part of the country's progress". He welcomed President Bouteflika's confidence in him, seeing it as a "great honour and an opportunity to serve his homeland".

Nevertheless, Bouteflika's decision surprised many supporters of the National Liberation Front (FLN), as Ouyahia – despite belonging to the ruling coalition – comes from the rival National Democratic Rally (RND) party. He served as prime minister from 1995-98, then again from 2003 through May 2006, when he was forced to resign under accusations of hindering Arab investments in the country.

Belkhadem will offer support to the new government and stay on as President Bouteflika's personal representative.

Local press has extensively covered the sudden change. Sawt Al-Ahrar, aligned with Belkhadem's FLN party said that the move has no impact on the value of the party or the political weight of Belkhadem.

Widely read Al-Khabar commented that the change is just an exchange of positions between Ouyahia and Belkhadem and is part of the equilibration game within the power hierarchy. The paper added that the change followed Belkhadem's failure to implement President Bouteflika’s economic programme, and hence in leading the third term of the President’s office, according to the latter’s agenda. Bouteflika saw in Ouyahia his savior, the paper said, adding that by choosing Ouyahia, the president can keep closer surveillance on the RND, the second-largest political party in Algeria, ahead of next year's presidential elections.

While Bouteflika may see in Ouyahia the right man to advance the economic agenda that came to a halt in his previous term, Al-Watan editorialised, Bouteflika's own political future could be jeopardised if Ouyahia fails to achieve the results originally expected from his predecessor.

Economic reporter Slimane Hamiche followed the logic of the decision but did not agree with it. "It is unreasonable," he told Magharebia, "to bring back Ouyahia who was forced out the back door, only to come back two years later without any change on the playing field."

Several sources linked Ouyahia's return to the Mediterranean Union initiative. Belkhadem has unequivocally rejected the plan, calling it unclear and demanding additional explanation.

Ouyahia, however, has told the press that Algeria cannot turn its back on such an important regional event.

"Belkhadem's rejection of the Mediterranean Union project had a profound impact on his standing in the government," political analyst Ali Merdij told Magharebia. "In the eyes of the West, he is a conservative and is close to Islamists, which adversely affects the relations Bouteflika seeks to build with allies of Algeria, especially France," he said.

"Conversely, Ouyahia is accepted by the West [and] categorised as an open-minded champion of reform," Merdij added.