Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
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 Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport  Activism
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 American Arabs
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ
    Jordan bans 12 news sites for ‘spreading media poison’ following corruption report Arab World
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech Activism
  • ADC creates emergency fund to defend people who are being punished for expressing views on the American-sanction violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of ADC
    ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Activism
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
  • Investigation demanded in March 23 massacre of 15 first responders by Israel's military in Rafah
    Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025 Arab World
  • More than a dozen candidates running for various local offices in the Chicagoland suburbs attended an Ifatr dinner Thursday, March 13, 2025 hosted by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce at the Jerusalem Banquet Hall in Bridgeview.
    Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13 Activism
  • Orland Fire Protection District, Fiscal Voices, receive endorsement of the Arab American Democracy Coaliton
    Independent candidates for Orland Fire receive Arab and Muslim American endorsement Activism
Grande Poste Algiers, Algeria. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

Algeria: Freedom and Shakespeare 

Posted on April 4, 2019April 4, 2019 By Abdennour Toumi 2 Comments on Algeria: Freedom and Shakespeare 
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Algeria: Freedom and Shakespeare 

The Street should be attentive in its exigent demands and comportment with the Army, usually the Military don’t like disorder or to be ordered.

By Abdennour Toumi 

Former President Bouteflika and his siblings are finished finally, a political drama ending with the political death of its main character, a Machiavellian figure and virtually a fan of drama à la Shakespeare to the point where one would called the Bard by an Arabic name, Sheïkh a-Zoubir, in keeping with the humorous slogans and festive mood of the Algerian “Mosaic Revolt”. Not too bad, only Algerians could have done it! Former President Bouteflika was a formidable character in Algerian and Arab politics, undoubtedly a world-class politician. 

In 1999 the majority of Algerians chose the man they have continued to view as a father-figure, but not as a leader of Algeria in the twenty-first century. Hence they had been voting for the status quo because they feared the unknown. This fear was instrumentalized by his oligarchs, his political velvet “alliance”, the media and the honey-tongued elite. In the past Algerians were mortified by the “red decade” of terror, counter-terror, and fanaticism; the ghost of those years weighed on their shoulders just until a month and half ago. 

No wise analyst of Algeria’s politics and geopolitics would have predicted former President Bouteflika’s political death, including Algeria’s strong and pivotal man Chief of Staff and Vice-Defense Minister General Gaïd Salah. He didn’t want to abandon his President, Defense Minister and Armed Forces Chief, but the crisis circumstances and developments pushed the General to act in a preemptive action against the “GANG” as General Gaïd Salah called them in Tuesday’s, April, 2nd Military Communiqué, and opted finally for the constitutional solution, and send the President to rest in his medical dacha in Zeralda-sur-Mazafran or elsewhere in the beautiful west coast Algiers Bay villas, and thus end the protest movement. 

Grande Poste Algiers, Algeria. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi
Grande Poste Algiers, Algeria. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

Though these days all the Arab tyrants are shaking and suffering nightmares, Bouteflika’s ghost is roaming through their Palaces, having once believed the Arab uprisings were buried and the people’s hope had evaporated. But Algerians have sowed again the seeds of revolt across the entire Arab soil, and in the morning these tyrants are calling their masters to find a crisis strategy from the chaos that has been created ever since. 

The Algerian tempest swept over former President Bouteflika’s shores that were once solidly protected from the 2010 Tunisiami; many analysts then agreed that Algeria would not be swept by the winds nor the debris of the political hurricane that ripped apart the Ben Ali, Mubarak, and al-Qadhafi thrones. But ultimately this tempest will take with it all

the oligarchs and the minions that were godfathered by his brother Saïd, Algeria’s de-facto fourth-term president who according to Algerian news reports kept in his office the President’s Presidency Seal. 

Forty days ago Algerians rose up en masse against the ailing President and his clan, so many of them sick and tired of their arrogance, corruption, injustice and incompetence. He had come back to power twenty years ago, as President of the Republic. He is well known as one of the designers of the Algerian regime, introducing political narcissism because of his penchant for culture, French and Arab literatures, not to mention his glamourous taste and charm, one of the few eloquent Arab leaders. 

He left the throne at the age of 82, after spending 38 years ruling Algeria’s political establishment, system and Algerians; after leaving Algeria for a decade, he came back as a savior and was seen as Algeria’s “come-back kid” in politics, when he was ousted softly by the Army on April, 2nd, he knew since his first night in the al-Mouradia Palace he started a chess game with the Generals, the game went on until a loyal General sieged the ex-President’s isolated pawn, end-game (a-Sheïkh mat). 

Pdt Boumedienne-Interior Minsiter Medaghri-Foreign Affairs Minister Bouteflika
Pdt Boumedienne-Interior Minsiter Medaghri-Foreign Affairs Minister Bouteflika

Considered undesirable by millions of the people (persona-non-grata). This existential story of former President Bouteflika will read as Algeria’s first quarter twenty-first century political history in the history books. 

The hour of truth has come, and so far Algerians have shown unity and fraternity. They have had a common target, former President Bouteflika, his siblings and their clique. But tomorrow Algerians will open a new chapter, because realist analysts all know the real winners of this constitutional deal: the Army, and in the aftermath of the political transition process, the legalist Islamists. Thus, one could imagine the picture of Algeria post-Bouteflika, and the Street should be attentive in its exigent demands and comportment with the Military, usually they don’t like disorder or to be ordered. 

The country, however is based on a solid concept of nation-State and functional governance administration, and institutions — notably the backbone of the entire Republic is the military, Algerian politicians, the excited so-called private media, the elite francophone and arabophone alike, political party leaders, civil society and Union activists must begin think how to re-build political structures locally and horizontally with no precedent to draw upon for a new form and model, not only of political and partisan activism but also initiate a culture of Human Rights and political accountability, help to emerge new leaders and raising awareness of civility and polity in order to better concretize their new deal with the Military. And forget for the moment about the “President” because at the end of the day, the next President will make his first step on the Military Castle balcony and not on la Grande-Poste building steps. 

In sum, former President Bouteflika did not wish for what he got. His appearance on TV holding his resignation letter before the Constitutional Counsel and the Senate Presidents wearing Algerian traditional prayer dress (A’abaya) showed him looking worried like a patriarch who is signing a contested succession will to his heirs. In a solemn letter he asked his fellow citizens for forgiveness and pardon for any intentional harm he caused. 

Algerians on the other hand are  emotional and kind people and will certainly forgive their former President whom they still wish renewed health and a tranquil retirement, hoping this “political feat” orchestrated by the Military, and carried by the masses against former President’s brother thugs and henchmen will not end up with another Shakespeare’s freedom play: in hatred and tragedy. 

newswire info
  • About
  • Latest 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, Politics Tags:Algeria, Algiers, Arab World, elections, Former President Bouteflika, protests, Sheïkh a-Zoubir

Post navigation

Previous Post: Israeli WMD Whistleblower Vanunu Mordechai Tweets Appeal Unto Caesar
Next Post: Arab American group leads delegation to Tunisia

Related Posts

  • Elected officials and Arab community leaders at the Arab American Heritage celebration at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo
    Hyatt Magazine to host Arab Heritage Month reception American Arabs
  • Perfect Assassination of Jordanian Writer Activism
  • The Ambassador of Morocco (2nd from left) greets Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley (2nd from right) at his City Hall office to receive a commemoration honoring the special relationship between America and Morocco. Picture center is Baker Lemseffer who was the director of the CHicago office of the Morocco Cultural Center. On the right is Col. Jack Reilly and on the left is a Moroccan aid who accompanied the Ambassador. The story was the main story in a 1976 issue of The Middle Eastern Voice Newspaper published by Ray Hanania in Chicagoland. Photo (C) Copyright 1976-2017 Ray Hanania. All Rights Reserved
    Arabs prepare to celebrate Heritage in Illinois American Arabs
  • The Arab Street The Arab Daily News radio show and audio podcast at www.TheArabStreet.com
    Podcast: Ray Hanania looks at the challenges facing Arab Americans American Arabs
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    USC capitulates to hate and bigotry demonizing Muslims and Arabs Activism
  • حرب إسرائيل على الفلسطينيين هي حرب على الحقائق Arab News

More Related Articles

Tarek Masood’s Life in Palestine: The first Winter Days Arab World
Alexey Navalny, photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Creative Commons license Russia: UN experts say Navalny poisoning sends clear, sinister warning to critics Europe
Three Muslim Arab students massacred at Chapel Hill American Arabs
Mandy Patinkin for Israeli Prime Minister Stephen Colbert for SECURITY Arab World
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2016 Abbas urges Israel to recognize Palestine Arab World
Gaza schools in shambles as children return Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech
    June 1, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025

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.

  • NEWS
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport 
    June 7, 2025
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022
    June 1, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

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

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme