Financial Times deplores crackdown on media in Algeria

Financial Times’s recently published article “Algeria’s military ruler ramps up crackdown on uprising”, has deplored crackdown on media expressing the deepening concern of international media on the Algerian crisis. The Algerian Security forces on a weekly basis have been clamping down on thousands of Algerian protesters to weaken the popular uprising demanding democracy, sacking of the old regime and end of the army’s interference in the political affairs of the country. .

Thousands of Algerians have been agitating since late February in response to former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s effort to cling to power for a fifth term. Though uprising ended the authoritarian rule of the 82-year-old Abdelaziz Bouteflika, it failed to bring in a democratic transition. Algeria’s military chief and de facto ruler General Gaid Salah has arrested hundreds of protesters and blocked news websites. Political analysts are worried about the new assertiveness from the military and from the police. After ousting Mr Bouteflika in April, Mr. Salah expelled many of the former President’s associates and senior officials, sending many to prison on corruption charges. However, he has not relented on granting a civilian-led political transition. The tough stand taken by the Military Head seems to convey that they is no room for any more negotiations. Since independence from France in 1962, the Algerian military had kept its hold on power on all successive governments.

Presidential elections, which were due on July 4, had to be postponed for lack of candidates.Though Gen Salah wants to hold a presidential election, prior to that, protesters and opposition politicians demand an overhaul of the political system to include the appointment of civilians to lead an interim administration.