Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, unveils a series of multi language videos to help property tax owners recover overpayments. This one is in Arabic
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments American Arabs
  • Amnesty International ... www.Amnesty.org
    Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster American Arabs
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League American Arabs
  • property tax info event
    Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Activism
  • US Border Notice. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP): Human Rights
  • Ald. Raymond Lopez and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receive the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award from Hassan Nijem for their support of the Arab and Muslim American community,
    County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders Activism
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Dingell, Tlaib Introduce Resolution Recognizing Eid al-Fitr Christian & Muslim
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  American Arabs
  • Vote Yes campaign button, Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Low Arab early voting turnout in important Orland Park elections American Arabs
  • Aziz Shihab, long time Arab American journalist and author.
    A memorial to a great Arab American Journalist, Aziz Shihab American Arabs
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin Civil Rights
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race American Arabs
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections American Arabs
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon American Arabs
President Bouteflika, Algeria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All you Need to Know about Algerian Political Harvest Season 

Posted on September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 By Abdennour Toumi No Comments on All you Need to Know about Algerian Political Harvest Season 
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

All you Need to Know about Algerian Political Harvest Season 

It seems when there is chaos among the Arabs, there is always an Algerian exception, analysts are saying but not this time.

By Abdennour Toumi

A quarter-century ago, before the Sidi-Bouzid revolt in Tunisia sparked the Arab Spring in 2010, disaffected youth in the populated neighborhoods of Algiers vented their frustration toward the regime in riotous demonstrations throughout the city which came to be known as the “Black October” Riots of 1988. 

The demonstrations were essentially fueled by increasing despair over the lack of jobs, poor housing, and the slow pace of economic and political reform. This explosion was no surprise to analysts, who had followed the situation for some months and who predicted the inevitable outburst despite the “head-in-the-sand” attitude of the regime.  

This social context was an extension of the Berber Spring of 1980 and the Islamist protests in 1982 in Algiers University campuses and Islamist Group Army actions (Bouya’ali Group) in the Metidja plain in 1985-1987. This was a wake-up call to the regime for the slumbering Islamist armed cell. Three decades later, it seems the regime didn’t get it then and does not want to get it now.

Algerian street scene. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi
Algerian street scene. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

Didn’t the ’88 riots unveil the mask of the regime and its failures? Didn’t these riots bring the Islamists to the gate of power? Couldn’t these same riots have ended the country’s social cohesion and national integrity?

Did today’s regime miss the ramifications of these riots, or is the regime still pretending Algeria is better off? Algeria still suffers the same social malaise: lack of employment, decent housing and chronic despair of the people over lack of both. Protests are occurring here and there in the country’s big cities, even in the southern cities, orchestrated by the October, ’88 generation.

A generation that has been traumatized, sacrificed, and left without hope. This is a generation that would prefer to be eaten by Mediterranean fish rather than be fooled. A sentiment prevalent among the majority of the youth. According to Algerian online paper TSA, 6000 Algerian migrants have crossed the Mediterranean illegally in one year. 

List of heads of state of Algeria
President Bouteflika, Algeria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yazid, a sophomore medical student at Algiers University, avers his immediate goal is to get his degree and leave. As he put it al-Harba. He continued, he has an aunt in France, she can help him to stay. After that, he’ll try to get into medical school in France to finish his speciality as a Radiologist.

I witnessed tens of Yazid’s stories, even middle-age women want to leave, go to France, Spain, even to Tunisia … However, the post-Oct ‘88 generation is fighting on their own behalf and not serving as pawns in a proxy political fight as those who protested and died in October, ’88. Then they were used as cannon fodder in the political duel between the Islamists and the regime on one hand and the francophone elite on the other.

At present, the regime is showing both confidence and assurance that everything seems to be going well. At this point, when compared to the chaos resulting from the fall of Ben Ali, al-Gadafi, Mubarak, Salah, the Syrian civilian war, and the situation in Mali — the regime can relax for the moment. Although the reports arriving at the Palace are, “tout va bien, M. le Président” (“everything is going well, Mr. President”).

Knowing the President himself is not doing well. It seems when there is chaos among the Arabs, there is always an Algerian exception, but not this time are saying economists and political science experts.

These days the situation is becoming increasingly dire as the on going political stand-off and serious economic concern won’t continue to be bought off by the government’s “blank check” policy regarding housing, job training and food subsidies. And there is always the scare-tactic of the ghost of the Arab Spring. The presidential alliance party leaders (FLN-RND, TAJ and MPA), a ratatouille dish of parties, called the Arab Spring, Arab Delusional, and would call any opposing voice to the regime’s incompetence and ask about the President’s health traitor and a foreign agent.

The newly appointed Algerian Premier, Mr. Ouyahia, a maximalist politician was described by an Algerian Human Rights activist during a coffee meet up in a Parisian café. In his inaugural and governement plan speech before the Parliament of both chambers, Mr. Ouyahia insisted on drastic social and economic reforms, politically maintaining the regime’s overture to the opposition parties.

A relation between the regime and opposition has reached a low level of trust, and it seems the divorce paper doesn’t need to reach the judge’s desk. Mr. Ouyahia in his speech before the nation’s representatives, washed the Islamists, the Secularists, and even a former political leader, Mr. Boukrouh a thinker-political opponent, who called the Premier a vineyard guardian (A’assas a-dalia)… and the Premier as an eloquent retort called him an ecliptic moon!

Yet across the country the people’s message to the President is telling him, “barakat mel hogra” (“enough of injustice”). People are exhausted by the wait-and-see socioeconomic policies, tired of the discredited political parties and the arrogant elite.  So a Sociologist professor at Blida University told me.

Despite a favorable economic conjuncture in  past years that generated billions in oil revenues, the country still cannot overcome the thorny issue of a housing crisis and job creation; in other words, using economic growth to generate a better life for the people seems as elusive as ever.

For President Bouteflika and his circle the eighteen “honeymoon years” are over — the country is on the eve of a crucial sociopolitical test that drives observers to wonder about Algeria’s future. Many of them are drawing a parallel with the pre-October ’88 situation; Premier Ouyahia’s last speech in the Parliament was compared to that of then-President Bendjeddid on September 19th, 1988.

The country is worn out by social depression and political impasse; it is time to put an end to seduction and take action, otherwise the regime faces serious and far-reaching sociopolitical repercussions.

This time, whether in Beb el-Oued (Algiers), Bédjaïa or Ghardia the people are feeling the heat of an Indian summer with no hint of relief from a breeze of change. Instead, the population is feeling as wretched as the October, ’88 generation, and like in the Fall season, having looked at magnificent golden color, vine leaves fall on the ground.

But if all the pieces of old wood, which can hamper the shoot of the vineyard are removed, then burned so the vineyard’s guardian was eaten by the wolf, and the grapes become raisins (Al-a’assas k’lah e-dhib, oua al-a’anba walat z’bib).

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Abdennour Toumi
Abdennour Toumi:
- France correspondent for The Arab Daily News.
- www.bareed-areej.com Editor-in-Chief
رئيس تحرير مجلة بريد الأريج
- Political consultant at IMPR a Think-Tank based in Ankara, Turkey.
- Member at the European Observatory for Arabic Language Teaching based in Paris, France.
- Affiliated with Sociology of Islam Journal and contributor at Middle East Studies / International Studies, Sociology of Islam and Muslim Societies Center, Portland State University in Portland, OR.

EDUCATION: Diplôme des Études Approfondies (DEA) in Political Science from Toulouse University I, France. Master’s degree in Law from Algiers University, Algeria.

Email im at: nourhty@gmail.com
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Latest posts by Abdennour Toumi (see all)
  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is the Neither-Peace-nor-Security As-sumption Dominating Again? - June 7, 2021
  • Algeria: “I Can See Clearly Now” - August 5, 2019
  • Majesty Mohammed VI and General Gaïd Salah Tear Down This Wall! - July 29, 2019

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Abdennour Toumi, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Middle East, North Africa, Opinion Tags:al-Gadafi, Algeria, Ben ALi, Mali, Mubarak, politics, President Bouteflika, Salah, Sidi-Bouzid revolt, Syria, Tunisia, Yazids

Post navigation

Previous Post: Israel violates rule of law, oppressing innocent civilians
Next Post: Spec Script, Spies and Vanunu Mordechai

Related Posts

  • The Seal of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information, see here. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Illinois men charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Absolute best Facebook Page on Middle East food American Arabs
  • The Perfect Man Billboard, photo courtesy of Mike Ghouse
    Muslims Respond to Perfect Man (Muhammad pbuh) – Bill Boards Arab News
  • The Thousand Lights and a Light in Paris Abdennour Toumi
  • Holy Land Principles, Inc. Commissions New Report American Arabs
  • World sees Israel’s brutality in Occupied Palestine Arab World

More Related Articles

Chicago American Arab Community to Honor Ziyad Brothers Importing Nov. 21 Chicago American Arab Community Honors Ziyad Brothers Importing Nov. 21 American Arabs
Tyrant, the most racist program on TV American Arabs
John McCain, Joe Lieberman and a Palestinian American’s Jerusalem Dream Arab World
Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin, Ziyad Brothers Importing owner Nemer Ziyad, Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki American Arabs Celebrate Arab Heritage Month (November) in Orland Park American Arabs
Lebanon Prime Minister Saad Hariri Regime not listening to the people and future of Lebanon at crossroad Bloggers
Christian Bishop Capucci struggled for Palestine rights Israel

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    Lebanese parliament afraid to vote for next president
    June 1, 2023
  • Hezbollah billboards in Lebanon celebrate Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah and the righteous war against Israeli extremism and fanaticism. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Who will choose the next Lebanese President?
    May 12, 2023
  • The term Arab will be meaningless if we don’t stand behind it and choose “MENA” instead
    April 29, 2023
  • IDF soldiers and Israeli settlers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Ending Israel’s occupation might save its democracy
    April 26, 2023
  • 300x300-ZIYAD02.jpg
  • 300x300-ZIYAD01.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, unveils a series of multi language videos to help property tax owners recover overpayments. This one is in Arabic
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments
    May 18, 2023
  • Amnesty International ... www.Amnesty.org
    Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster
    May 10, 2023
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
    May 10, 2023
  • property tax info event
    Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community
    May 5, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
    May 10, 2023
  • US Border Notice. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP):
    May 2, 2023
  • Ald. Raymond Lopez and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receive the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award from Hassan Nijem for their support of the Arab and Muslim American community,
    County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders
    April 27, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

POPULAR POSTS

  • Who will choose the next Lebanese President? Who will choose the next Lebanese President? By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Since September of last year the Lebanese parliament has ... posted on May 12, 2023
  • Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will host a ... posted on May 5, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and ... posted on May 10, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas ... posted on May 18, 2023
  • Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  Ramadan is an important month-long religious observance for Muslims who observe it by fasting ... posted on April 4, 2023

Recent Posts

  • Lebanese parliament afraid to vote for next president
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments
  • Who will choose the next Lebanese President?
  • Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme