President Bouteflika’s sudden decisions shake political scene in Algeria

Considerable changes took place in the political scene in Algeria as President Abdelaziz Bouteflika conducted a large reshuffle in his cabinet, the State’s institutions and the army.

The campaign started on Wednesday following the reshuffle of prefects before naming new ministers the following day. This raised questions as former trade minister Amara Benyounes was dismissed although he supported the fourth presidential term.

These changes also touched the army as the president dismissed the Republic Guards’ Commander Ahmed Meliani, the Presidential Security Chief Djamel Medjdoub Kehal, the Internal Security Chief Ali Ben Daoud and the Civil Protection General Director Mustapha Lahbiri.

Two months ago, President Bouteflika conducted a partial reshuffle naming Tayeb Belaiz and Youcef Yousfi as interior and energy ministers respectively.

Dismissal decisions were also applied on public enterprises such as Sonatrach, Air Algerie, customs and banks.

During the fourth term electoral campaign, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal committed to make important changes. Yet, those promises were not respected. Because of that, this spectacular reshuffle can be seen as an attempt to give an impression that the electoral promises are concretized.

Observers believe that the reshuffle was conducted in response to opposition parties which exploited the economic crisis in the country due to oil price fall.