President Abdelaziz Bouteflika under pressure before April polls

afrol News, 2 February - The security situation in Algeria has deteriorated during the last month as the country prepares for presidential elections in April. A growing split in the ruling party and failed negotiations with Berber groups place a growing challenge on the rule of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The February issue of the 'CrisisWatch Bulletin' from the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that tensions are building up in Algeria. During January 2004, the security level in the country had "deteriorated", the group assessed, giving reference to the upcoming elections.

In particular, the growing split in the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) party was causing concern. The party is divided between a faction backing President Bouteflika and a rival group supporting former Prime Minister Ali Benflis, who was dismissed in May last year. Mr Benflis' group has urged President Bouteflika to step down.

Tension in the FLN surfaced after a 30 December court decision to freeze assets of FLN. On 4 January, Algerian Riot police had to disperse protesters, among them 100 members of Parliament, demonstrating against the ruling, which had targeted the rival FLN faction.

In a statement after the clashes, the faction led by ex-PM Benflis described President Bouteflika as a threat to stability and urged him to leave offices. The tension had cemented the split in the ruling party.

Mr Benflis meanwhile has made it clear that he will be running for President at the April polls, challenging his party colleague, Mr Bouteflika. As President, he says he intents to strengthen civilian government against the strong influence of Islamist groups and the military. A showdown between the two FLN candidates may turn dramatic, observers fear.

ICG also warns about the Algiers government's recent failure to reach an agreement with representatives of the Berber people, who demand a larger degree of cultural autonomy, including the recognition of Berber as an official language.

The Algiers government had agreed to remove officials in the troubled Berber-dominated Kabylia region, which had been elected in 2002 polls that were marred by violence and boycott. Last week, talks however broke down over the issue of giving official status to Berber language - the Tamazight.

The Kabylia region has been the major site of unrest and impasse in Algeria during the last few years, as Berbers have demanded more political influence. The Berber people constitutes about a quarter of Algeria's population, but is mostly defined to poor and underdeveloped regions, becoming increasing prone to riot.

The breakdown in the talks between government and Kabylia Berber delegates has been seen as a setback for President Bouteflika, who hopes to establish peaceful circumstances in the troubled region before the April elections. Unrest in Kabylia could mare the entire Algerian poll.

Algiers officials however have not given up hope of reaching an agreement with the Kabylia Berbers. Talks are to be resumed this week, with an aim to secure peace already in February.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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