Security and Politics

For many, the change in leadership in Algeria's oil bureaucracy was long overdue. Political pundits have been expecting the sacking of energy minister Chekib Khelil since early 2009 when Abdelaziz Bouteflika renewed his mandate for President for a third term. For others, while expecting Khelil to get somewhat hit by the political tsunami generated by the corruption scandal that has rocked oil giant Sonatrach, they saw him as "the only international statesman Algeria had" due to his dense connections with Western decision makers in governments and businesses. This scandal, which has cost the job of the then Sonatrach CEO, Mohamed Meziane, and forced a substantial reshuffle of the company's executive management, ultimately brought down the powerful minister himself. At the end though, not too many were surprised as changes were expected a while ago. Some observers note that while the sacking of Khelil is analyzed as a bad outcome for the powerful Minister, his exit could indeed be interpreted as a blessing in disguise. Khelil's timely exit means that he will likely remain unaccountable for his questionable contribution in managing Algeria's assets and finances, amid scandals affecting the energy sector.

For the Libyan leader Muamar Kaddafi there was a sense of déjà-vu again. His campaign to get a second term as head of the African Union collapsed, showing that like in his previous call to unify the Arabs, his latest African venture was also doomed to fail.

The year 2009 was such a dismal year that many people questioned how worst it can get. In asking this question, there was an assumption that things are going to get better as we enter 2010. Three months into the new year and we are already seeing signs of stress everywhere, and North Africa is not spared from this movement.

Long-serving Algerian national police chief, Ali Tounsi was shot dead on February 25, 2010 by a senior police officer.

The End of an Era: Algerian army General Larbi Belkheir, a figure that has been largely insignificant in today’s Algerian politics, died on January 25, 2010 at the age of 72. Belkheir has been a central figure in the Algerian ruling system in the past, though his activities and exact role are shrouded in mystery.

The recent attempt by a young Nigerian man to down a US airliner brought back the topic of terrorism on the front pages of newspapers around the world. While the attempt failed given the fast reaction of passengers, as well as the poor execution of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the alleged terrorist, the impact has been important; the visibility of Al-Qaeda and global terrorism has increased considerably as a result. Although no one was harmed, Al-Qaeda managed a good media coup whether it directly planned it or not. The would-be terrorist has also prompted a lot of attention on Yemen, its poverty, mismanagement and potential to become a new haven for international terrorism in a manner similar to Afghanistan or even Somalia.

Scrambling to respond to new security threats following the attempt terror attack on a Detroit-bound airliner, the American government responded with an overnight measure aimed at calming fear but does little in ways of strengthening security. Furthermore, this populist measure is extremely counterproductive form a diplomatic standpoint, further alienating the people targeted by the new rules, and therefore potentially leading to further resentment in parts of the world where the new US administration has been seeking to reconnect.

The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI has ordered a reshuffle of the executive branch with focus on security, justice and economic development. The reshuffle is substantial in that it involves very critical posts but is also a culmination of many years of unfulfilled social, political and economic promises.

There was a clear reminder this week that Libya remains a country full of pitfalls for foreigners (western or non). In an all too common scene, witnessed so many times during the drawn out trial and appeal of the Bulgarian nurses throughout most of the past decade, a Libyan court has postponed the trial of two Swiss businessmen, who have been detained in Libya since July 2008.

The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI has ordered a reshuffle of the executive branch with focus on security, justice and economic development.