Maghreb Edition

Dirty politics: Scandal in Algeria after ex-private secretary of late army chief accuses current chief of drug and arms traffickingF

Posted On 11 January 2022

Number of times this article was read : 713

On Sunday, 9 January 2022, Guermit Bounouira, former private secretary of the late army chief General Ahmed Gaïd Salah, leaked on social media videos filmed from within the highly secured military prison of Blida. Videos presented as two parts of a long and damning testimony against current senior Algerian military officials have been broadcast and widely shared on Facebook and Youtube. Bounouira accuses Algerian army generals of practicing all sorts of criminal activity, including helping drug barons move illicit drugs from Morocco into Algeria and bringing weapons from Libya to stage fake anti-terror operations for public consumption.  At this time, it is difficult to affirm or deny the veracity of these accusations. But we can already conclude that powerful circles within the Army facilitated these video leaks from Bounouira to jeopardize the position of Chengriha as head of the military and indirectly as the country’s strongman.

 

 

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Global Energy Markets Jolt as Iran War Disrupts Gulf Oil FlowsF

Oil prices surged toward $119 per barrel as the conflict involving Iran disrupted tanker traffic through the Persian Gulf, forcing several Gulf producers to reduce output and pushing governments to consider emergency energy measures. Saudi Arabia joined Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE in cutting production as shipments stalled and storage capacity tightened. With hundreds of tankers idling near the Strait of Hormuz and major shipping insurers suspending coverage, the crisis is rapidly evolving from a regional military conflict into a global energy shock.

Energy Markets Are Reacting to Iran, But Not Panicking Yet✓

Energy markets often react before the rest of the economy when geopolitical crises erupt. Oil has surged toward $90 per barrel as traders price the risk of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, while European natural gas remains relatively calm but structurally exposed through LNG shipping routes. Together, the charts suggest markets are pricing risk, not yet a supply shock, as the conflict involving Iran enters its early phase.

Trump Sends Controversial Envoy to South Africa at a Diplomatic Low Point$

Leo Brent Bozell III has arrived in Pretoria as the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa, stepping into one of the most strained periods in bilateral relations in recent years. His appointment, amid disputes over Israel, Afrikaner rights allegations, and diplomatic expulsions, reflects a politically charged moment that could redefine the trajectory of U.S.–South Africa ties.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.