ALGERIA Weekly Report

3 - 9 May 2018

Executive Summary Algeria Weekly Summary

Summary

 Between 3 and 9 May 2018, there were 77 critical incidents in Algeria, resulting in two deaths and 276 arrests, including TABLE OF CONTENTS those of 177 immigrants and 37 drug traffickers. Criminal

events accounted for 38.96% of the total incident pool this Executive Summary 2 week, followed by human and social crises with 31.17%. Significant Events 3  Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) issued a threat Political & General 4 against western companies operating in the Maghreb and Sahel region. The AQIM statement also included local Security 7 nationals working for such companies as potential targets. Economy 8 Several countries are expected to bolster security as a result, including Algeria. In Tamanrasset, an AQIM fighter Outlook 10 surrendered and in Khenchela, Medea, Blida, Boumerdes and Forecast of Events 2018 11 Tebessa, seven terrorism supporters were arrested. About Constellis 12  In Jijel, large-scale sweeping operations were initiated. So far, two wanted al-Qaeda insurgents were apprehended in the area of Ziama Mansouria, while a weapon, an IED and two insurgent hideouts were found in the same region. In Bordj Bou Arreridj, Skikda and Tebessa, 36 other hideouts and 18 bombs were discovered.

 Algeria summoned the Moroccan ambassador last week, amid escalating tensions between the two countries. Morocco accused Algeria of facilitating the transfer of weapons from Iran and the alleged military training provided to Polisario troops by the Lebanese group Hezbollah. The Turkish press agency Anadolu claimed that Algeria is now pondering the expulsion of Moroccan diplomats.

 In Bejaia, the committee to support Cevital workers is calling for a “popular protest” in the downtown area of the city to denounce the blockade of Cevital shipping containers at the local port, and the inaction of authorities regarding the dispute. The committee claimed that releasing the containers would help create thousands of jobs in the province.

 Municipal workers held a protest in Bejaia on 4 May to demand a salary increase, and the reinstatement of the early retirement system. While no incidents were reported during the protest, the unionists vowed to intensify their action in the near future.

 Air Algeria operations are likely to be disrupted yet again next week, as the union of maintenance engineers announced an upcoming strike to protest the company’s refusal to negotiate salary re-evaluations. Domestic and international flights are expected to be cancelled.

Significant Events: 3 - 9 May 2018 Algeria Weekly Summary

Skikda: 5 May 2018: Hideout Batna: 7 May 2018: containing two homemade Three terrorism sup- explosives found in Skikda. Jijel: 5 May 2018: IED found and porters captured in cleared in Jijel. Khenchela and Medea.

Jijel: 5 May 2018: Tebessa: 8 May Two wanted AQIM 2018: Measles fighters captured in kills a victim in Jijel. Tebessa.

Batna: 7 May 2018: Eight hideouts, five IEDs discovered in Batna.

Batna: 6 May 2018: Seven hideouts, seven IEDs discovered in Batna and Te- bessa.

Tamanrasset: 7 May 2018: Explosives and detonators discovered in In Guezzam.

Tamanrasset: 5 May 2018: Seven armed smugglers captured in In Guezzam.

Political & General Algeria Weekly Summary

FLN Senator expelled from the party FLN senator Abdelwahab Benzaim was excluded from the ruling party by the disciplinary commission, weeks after he demanded the resignation of the Minister of Education, Nouria Benghabrit, due to recent strikes in her sector. The senator's stance regarding this issue was contrary to that of the FLN and the Secretary-General Djamel Ould Abbes. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita announced his country had sev-

ered ties with Iran over alleged ties between Hezbollah and the Polisario. Ali Benflis' party calls (Photo: EPA / STR) crackdown on unions "unconstitutional" The opposition party Talaiou - al province. Iran in 2014, while it was at crisis Hurriat released a statement to with countries that have friendly denounce the withdrawal of the Algeria summons Moroccan relations with Morocco.” In the Ambassador over Iran crisis accreditation of 34 autonomous meantime, Algeria summoned the The Iranian Embassy in Algiers has unions by the government. "We Moroccan ambassador after been accused by Morocco of denounce the regime's denying "unfounded reports" by militarily supporting the Polisario determination to restrict the Moroccan authorities. Front, according to a statement by freedoms, including union rights, Iran's Islamic Republic News which are set out by article 70 of Rumor: Algeria considers Agency, days after Morocco expelling Moroccan the Constitution" said the party led severed ties with Iran. Morocco’s diplomats amid row by Ali Benflis. Talaiou al-Hurriat Minister of Foreign Affairs and involving Iran and Hizbollah condemned this as an International Cooperation, Nasser Citing "inside sources", the Turkish unconstitutional move, and an Bourita, alleged that Hezbollah press agency Anadolu revealed "action of exclusion" which might officers have travelled to Tindouf that the Algerian Ministry of lead unions to "radicalization". camps in Algeria to train military Foreign Affairs has advised

leaders of the separatist Polisario President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to RCD elected officials sue expel a number of Moroccan Tizi Ouzou Governor Front in the use of SAM-9s and anti diplomats, and limit Moroccan Elected officials from the -aircraft missiles. Bourita stated diplomatic representation merely opposition party Rally for Culture that cutting ties with Iran is not to consular activities. It is believed and Democracy (RCD) sued the related to the situation in Syria or that the President is currently Governor of Tizi Ouzou, according Middle East. “This decision was not considering the option. In the to a statement by the party. The taken under influence or meantime, Foreign Affairs Minister officials are seeking the annulment pressure,” said Bourita during a Abdelkader Messahel is going to of new provincial internal laws, meeting with representatives of visit several countries to "deny the which have been deemed "illegal", the national and foreign press, allegations of Morocco" regarding and accused the Governor of trying recalling that “[Morocco] had the presence of members of the to consolidate power in the resumed diplomatic relations with Lebanese branch of Hezbollah in Commercial in Confidence & Subject to Contract 4 Copyright Constellis 2018. All rights reserved.

Political & General Algeria Weekly Summary

the Sahrawi refugee camps of Tindouf.

Algiers mayor sued for forgery The Mayor of Bouzareah, a district located near central Algiers, was accused of forgery and falsification of official documents by a local resident, who is now suing him. The latter accused the mayor of granting him a three-bedroom apartment instead of a four- bedroom unit, which he claims he had lawfully obtained. Protest in Adekar, Bejaia province, to demand road maintenance (Photo: Depeche de Kabylie) Health Ministry to recruit 600 general practitioners as municipality. upcoming weeks due to the strikes continue government's inaction regarding The Ministry of Health is going to Popular march to take their demands. recruit 600 general practitioners to place in Bejaia over Cevital replace striking resident doctors in crisis Resident doctors refuse to emergency rooms, according to the The committee to support Cevital partake in talks with the government-aligned APS press workers has called for a "popular government for the second agency. The practitioners will be march" on Monday 14 May. After time offered two-year contracts, addressing several letters to the For the second time in just two according to the Director of Health Prime Minister and President, the weeks, the union of resident of Algiers province. committee has decided to take to doctors, CAMRA, refused an offer the streets to demand the release by the Ministry of Health to Human & Social of their shipping containers from resume negotiations. The union the port of Bejaia, in order to allow claimed that the Ministry had Bejaia protesters close the private company to launch a failed to communicate the agenda highways, demand better of the meeting as well as not living conditions number of projects in the province. providing a list of participants. In On 6 May, protesters in Amizour Municipal workers take to the meantime, emergency rooms and Adekar, Bejaia province, closed the streets of Bejaia across the country are national roads 72 and 12 In Bejaia, on 4 May, dozens of understaffed, due to the unlimited respectively to denounce their municipal workers affiliated with strike of the resident doctors, poor living conditions. In Amizour, the National Union of Public which recently escalated. villagers implored the authorities Administration Personnel to conduct road maintenance, (SNAPAP) organized a protest Air Algerie maintenance while in Adekar, the protesters march to demand wage increases engineers to go on strike claimed that the results of the local and the reintegration of the early The National Union of Aircraft elections of 23 November were retirement system. The unionists Maintenance Engineers (SNTMA) "manipulated" in their vowed to escalate their action in announced that a strike will be

Political & General Algeria Weekly Summary

observed in the near future. This of Malians and Guineans, were housing claimants, who submitted will be held in order to put deported from Algeria by the their applicants between 1992 and pressure on Air Algerie, which police and dropped off at the 1996, held sit-in protests outside refused to grant them salary border with Niger, in the village of the central city hall of Constantine increases on several occasions over Assamaka. and the provincial HQ to denounce the last two years. Over 600 their omission from the latest list engineers are expected to join the Illegal immigration: 177 Sub of beneficiaries. The protesters strike, possibly leading to the -Saharan Africans and attempted to meet local elected cancellation of several domestic Algerians apprehended officials, but to no avail. Further and international flights. This week, 162 undocumented activity is likely next week. immigrants from Sub-Saharan In Skikda, hundreds of other Assistant teachers protest Africa were apprehended in housing beneficiaries whose in Constantine Tlemcen, Blida, Ouargla, Ain apartment keys have yet to be On 4 May, dozens of assistant Temouchent and Adrar. Moreover, delivered held a march on 7 May. teachers began a protest in in Tlemcen and Mostagamen, 15 After waiting 15 years, the Constantine to condemn their Algerian nationals were arrested protesters condemned "marginalization" from recent pay for trying to cross the administrative delays and urged rises granted by the Ministry of Mediterranean Sea illegally. the authorities to solve the issue Education. The head of the union before Ramadan begins on 17 May. of assistant teachers said that only Dead body of immigrant teachers received wage increases, found on Oran beach Consumer protection and urged authorities to widen the The dead body of a Sub-Saharan African immigrant washed up on a association issues warning measure to include other about antibiotic, Health beach in Oran on 4 May. This is the education workers. Ministry opens inquiry 15th body to be found in Oran, after The Association for the Protection the capsizing of a boat off the coast Over 30% of Algerians want of Algerian Consumers (APOCE) of Ain Temouchent last month. to leave the country - Study recently issued a warning According to a study conducted in regarding the antibiotic 2017 by the US-based institute Measles claims a victim’s "Amocian" (amoxicillin), which is Gallup, 32% of Algerians want to life in Tebessa produced by the Jordanian leave the country, as against 28% A four-year-old child fell victim to laboratory Hikma. APOCE claimed in 2016. Citing social and economic measles and died in Tebessa, that the pills change colors, which issues, the report suggests that following the measles outbreak may suggest a flawed production the majority of Algerians who want which began in El Oued. 19 other process. The Ministry of Health has to emigrate have a bachelor's cases have been reported over the opened an investigation into the degree. last week, including 13 children. matter. Local health authorities since launched a vaccination campaign in Over 1,500 illegal NGO claims existence of a schools. immigrants deported plan to "shut down

According to the International newspapers" Organization for Migration (IOM), Angry social housing applicants take to According to the Algerian League over 1,500 undocumented Constantine city hall and for the Defense of Human Rights immigrants from Sub-Saharan the provincial HQ, hold (LADDH), there is a "plan to shut Africa, including 600 Cameroonian march in Skikda down newspapers in Algeria" nationals, in addition to hundreds On 7 May, a group of social through a ban on advertisement. In

Political & General / Security Algeria Weekly Summary

a statement released on World insurgents, identified as Mohamed several rounds of ammunition, Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the Hachoud and Samir Khetab, have detonating tools and two hideouts NGO said that, "Many media been active since 1994 and 1996 were discovered by the army outlets have been unable to pay respectively. Two Kalashnikov between 5 and 8 May. their journalists, in some cases for machine guns and five rounds of months. This is a violation of the ammunition were also seized. Explosives, detonators material and moral rights of found in In Guezzam journalists, and it symbolizes the Islamic insurgent In In Guezzam, Tamanrasset crisis that is affecting the media surrenders in Tamanrasset province, four power generators, sector in Algeria". Without naming In Tamanrasset, a wanted Islamic five jackhammers, a metal those responsible for the alleged insurgent known as "Bilel" detector, 1.5 kilograms of TNT, 30 crack down, LADDH urged the civil surrendered to the army on 1 May. detonators and several detonating society to protect the media, the A Kalashnikov machine gun and agents were seized by the army on dignity of journalists and the two rounds of ammunition were 7 May. freedom of the press. also seized. Criminality Security Seven terrorism supporters captured in five provinces Drug trafficking: 37 AQIM threatens to attack In the provinces of Khenchela, apprehended foreign companies based in Medea, Blida, Boumerde and This week, 37 drug traffickers were the Maghreb and Sahel Tebessa, seven terrorism apprehended in Ouargla, El Oued, On 8 May, al-Qaeda in the Islamic supporters were captured by the El Tarf, Mascara, Ain Temouchent, Maghreb released a statement army on 7 and 8 May. The suspects Blida, Tipaza, Tebessa and threatening foreign companies were accused of having helped Tlemcen. In total, 751.5 kilograms operating in North Africa. The insurgents hide in their homes of treated kif and 8,186 Islamic insurgency organization during military sweeping psychotropic pills were seized. stated that, "Western companies operations. active in the area between Contraband smuggling: Mauritania and Libya will be Hideouts and bombs found Armed smugglers arrested targeted". AQIM also clarified that in five provinces in Tamanrasset In In Guezzam, Tamanrasset locals working for these companies Counter-terrorism operations have province, seven armed contraband will also be targeted. It is believed allowed the discovery of various smugglers were apprehended on 5 that French companies are the insurgent shelters and homemade May. A Kalashnikov machine gun, primary motive behind the explosives this week. In Bordj Bou one round of ammunition, four message due to the presence of Arreridj, 12 militant shelters and motorcycles, nine metal detectors, French troops in northern Mali, eight homemade bombs were nine power generators and seven and their frequent crackdowns on discovered on 8 May. In Skikda, jackhammers were seized. In the AQIM insurgents. one insurgent hideout containing same province, 5.3 tons of two homemade explosives was Two wanted AQIM fighters found on 5 May in the region of foodstuffs, 400 liters of fuel and caught in Jijel Ain Kercha. Between 1 and 7 May, 800 liters of cooking oil were also On 5 May, two Islamic fighters in Batna and Tebessa, 23 other seized. were captured in Ziama hideouts and 16 homemade bombs In Adrar and El Oued, 11 other Mansouria, a municipality located were discovered. Furthermore, in smugglers were apprehended and in Jijel province. The two Jijel, an IED, a pump-action rifle, 8.3 tons of tobacco and 3.82 tons Commercial in Confidence & Subject to Contract 7 Copyright Constellis 2018. All rights reserved.

Security / Economy Algeria Weekly Summary

of foodstuffs were seized. In Souk Three money Economy Ahras, Tebessa and el-Tarf, 7,766 counterfeiters arrested liters of fuel were seized. On 2 May, three money counterfeiters were apprehended Police investigate by the police in the region of allegations of public money Zighoud Youcef, Constantine embezzlement in Tiaret province. 55 fake 1,000 dinar bank In the municipality of Hemadia, notes were also seized. Money Tiaret province, police are counterfeiting has been a source of investigating allegations of public concern in the northeast over the money embezzlement by local last few years. Last year alone, the elected officials. Hemadia has been equivalent of 200 million Algerian struggling financially in recent dinars and 3 million euros were years, which has led locals to seized in fake bills. Hydrocarbon exports to the reveal an overbilling scandal US drop dramatically involving former and current Five drones sent from The President of the Algerian- government officials between 2005 France seized in Annaba American Business Council, Smail and 2017. Five "mini-drones" were seized by Chikhoun, announced that the police in Annaba on 2 May, hydrocarbon exports to the United Wanted people smuggler according to the authorities. The States have reduced from USD 18 captured in Oran drones, each worth approximately billion to only USD 3 billion in a few In Oran, on 1 May, a man wanted 115,000 dinars (USD 950) were years. Smail Chikhoun added, for organizing illegal trips across sent in parcels from France during an interview, that Algeria the Mediterranean Sea for would- through regular mail. The recipient should work harder to attract US be immigrants was apprehended of the parcels was fined 230,000 companies. The suppression of the by the police. The suspect used dinars. 51/49 percent investment rule was document forgery networks in the mentioned as a "bureaucratic past few years to travel using fake Four Russian tourists problem", which is making US a passport. arrested in possession of a investment in Algeria difficult. drone

Five members of people In Batna's el-Ghourfi touristic Cost of car registration smuggling gang arrested region, four Russian tourists were increases by 2,000% In Mostaganem, on 8 May, five apprehended by the national The cost of car registration in members of a criminal network gendarmerie in the possession of a Algeria has been increased by which organized illegal sea- drone. The tourists are believed to 2,000%, as the complementary crossing trips for would-be have used the drone to capture 2018 finance bill sets the tax to immigrants were apprehended by videos of the region, which is illegal 10,000 dinars, as opposed to 500 the national gendarmerie. The in Algeria. dinars last year. "This increase aims network was allegedly responsible to accompany the launch of the for arranging over 200 attempts to new biometric and electronic cross the Mediterranean Sea in just driver's license, which requires one year. modern technology systems, and thus significant financial coverage" the bill text reads.

Economy Algeria Weekly Summary

Businessman blamed for euro shortage in the black market Algerian businessman, Mahiedine Tahkout, was accused of buying all available amounts of euros in the black market money exchange in Algeria, in an effort to control the exchange rates. Newspaper El

Wassat claimed that Tahkout has provoked a shortage of euros in the black market, which has led to the depreciation of the dinar against the European currency. Now sold against 214 dinars in the black market, the euro's value is expected to climb further before Ramadan.

Outlook Algeria Weekly Summary

Political: Security: Economy & social: Political infighting remains a source The threat issued by al-Qaeda in the Bejaia has witnessed an increase in of tension in Algeria’s political envi- Islamic Maghreb will not be taken protests this week. Indeed, after a ronment. With general elections ap- lightly by the Algerian government. rally organized by municipal workers proaching next year, tensions are Although AQIM’s operations in Alge- seeking a wage increase, protesters expected to continue to escalate in ria have declined drastically in recent in Adekar condemned electoral the medium term. years, and the likelihood of a large- fraud, and others in Amizour urged scale attack in the country is low, the authorities to repair local roads. With regard to the Morocco-Iran dis- AQIM remains a potent force in Mali Next week, workers of the private pute, and Algeria’s alleged involve- and Libya. It is assessed that here, company Cevital are set to protest to ment in facilitating Hezbollah in the insurgent group remains capable demand the release of shipping con- training the Polisario militia, no hos- of training new Algerian recruits and tainers from the local port. Security tile escalations are expected in the arming them, in an effort to rebuild a reinforcements are likely, as the pro- short-term. Algeria has categorically presence and execute its threats in testers are expected to try to enter rejected Morocco’s accusations, Algeria. the port. though tensions will remain elevated over the fallout of Morroco’s break- In the meantime, the Algerian mili- Also of concern is planned strike ac- down in relations with Iran. Should tary will continue to conduct its on- tion by Air Algeria maintenance engi- Algeria expel Moroccan diplomats, going crackdown on the group, neers. This may cause several cancel- rhetoric is expected to become more which has so far led to the surrender lations of domestic and international polemic between the two countries. of over 20 militants this year. The flights next week. army has furthermore seized a sig-

nificant quantity of weapons, IEDs

and ammunition.

Forecast of Events 2018 Algeria Weekly Summary

DATE EVENT COMMENT

16 May - 15 Jun Ramadan Month-long religious holiday - reduced hours 2018* 15 Jun 2018 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) Religious and national holiday - widespread business closures 5 Jul 2018 Independence Day National holiday- widespread business closures

22 Aug 2018 Eid ul-Ad’ha—Sacrifice Feast Religious and national holiday - widespread business closures 11 Sep 2018 Muharram –Islamic New Year Religious holiday - widespread business closures

20 Sep 2018 Ashura— 10th day of Muharram Religious holiday - widespread business closures

1 Nov 2018 Anniversary of the start of Algerian National holiday- widespread business closures independence war 20 Nov 2018 Mawlid Nabawi—Birth of Prophet Religious holiday - widespread business closures Mohamed

* Muslim holidays are often determined by local sightings of lunar phases; dates given are approximate.

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