Algeria: New technocrats’ government to defuse “bombs” left behind in failing sectors

President Abdellaziz Bouteflika reshuffled the Cabinet Wednesday, making changes in key ministries including defense, interior and foreign affairs that analysts say bolsters his political clout after a long illness.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika spent 80 days convalescing in Paris from a stroke and has made only brief televised appearances since his July return. He had been expected to contest next April’s elections, but since his illness there has been non-stop speculation about his successor.

Observers and analysts said Wednesday’s changes were likely aimed at trying to strengthen Bouteflika’s allies ahead of presidential elections in April 2014.

The reshuffle, which puts close associates in top positions at the Interior Ministry and the Defense Ministry, beefs up the hold of Bouteflika’s camp.

The reshuffle of the cabinet headed by Abdelmalek Sellal affects key ministries, including interior, defence and foreign affairs, the presidency of the republic announced in a statement.

Tayeb Belaiz, who heads the constitutional council, was appointed interior minister, while General Ahmed Gaid Salah was designated deputy defence minister, while retaining his position as army chief.

Ramtane Lamamra, a seasoned diplomat at the African Union and the UN, was named the new foreign minister, and former labour minister Tayeb Louh was appointed new head of the justice ministry.

Energy and mines minister, Youcef Yousfi, public works minister, Amar Ghoul and housing minister, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, retained for their part their respective portfolios.

The government reshuffle is the one of the first major actions by president Bouteflika since he returned home in July following an absence of almost three months in Paris, where he was flown for medical treatment after suffering a mini-stroke.

Analysts suggest that the Cabinet reshuffles mean Algeria is finally moving again after months of standstill— even on key projects — during Bouteflika’s illness.

“Whatever the ideological and political implications of the cabinet reshuffle, Algeria’s diplomatic partners, whether the U.S., France the EU, Tunisia and other countries in addition to the business community at large have to hail this development because it does break the lingering deadlock,” they underlined. 

“President Bouteflika’s move shatters at last the policymaking stalemate witnessed in the country since the end of April,” they further noted.