New York Times
Andrew Testa for the New York Times
by Carlotta Gall
A mural commemorating the war of independence against France in Algiers. Some of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s associates say they suspect he is no longer in control.
A power struggle within the closed circle that has ruled Algeria for decades has spilled into the open in recent weeks, with accusations of a soft coup, as questions intensify about the health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The almost daily revelations have both intrigued and worried Algerians, and have raised fears far beyond this North African country, whose oil reserves and relative stability have made it a critical bulwark against the jihadist movements encroaching in the region.
The condition of Mr. Bouteflika, 78, is so uncertain, after two strokes in recent years, that even a prominent group of his closest associates has publicly demanded to see him to make sure he is still making the decisions. The president remains so sequestered that none of them have met with him in more than a year.
Short of a meeting, which has not been granted, suspicions have mounted that a clique within the ruling clique, led by the president’s brother, Saïd Bouteflika, has effectively carried out an internal coup and is running the country in the president’s name.
