The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Algeria

  • Algeria to hold presidential election July 4

    Algeria will hold presidential election on July 4, the interim presidency on Wednesday said after weeks of mass protests led to the resignation of long-serving leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

    No further details were immediately given. On Tuesday, Interim President Abdelkader Bensalah had said he would organise free elections within 90 days.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Algeria’s army chief said he expected to see members of the ruling elite in the major oil and natural gas-producing country prosecuted for corruption and that he would support a transition toward elections.

    Lt.-Gen. Gaid Salah’s comments were the strongest hint yet that the military would play its traditional role as kingmaker after the ailing 82-year-old Bouteflika bowed to popular pressure and quit on April 2 after 20 years in power.

    “The army will meet the people’s demands,” said Salah, addressing officers and soldiers at a military base. “The judiciary has recovered its prerogative and can work freely.”

    He referred to the ruling caste as “the gang’’, a term people have used in the protests to describe Bouteflika’s inner circle.

    The inner circle encompassed retired intelligence officials, oligarchs, members of the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) and some veterans of the 1954-62 war of independence against France.

    The army chief of staff urged the judiciary to reopen a corruption case against oil and gas giant Sonatrach, an object of resentment for many Algerians, who accuse their leaders of stealing the North African nation’s wealth.

    More than one in four people under the age of 30, some 70 per cent of the population, are unemployed – one of the central grievances of protesters, who want the economy liberalised and diversified to reduce its reliance on energy.

    In 2012, a series of scandals shook Sonatrach, which was tightly controlled by Bouteflika loyalists.

    Its CEO and other executives were imprisoned for graft offences.

    The army patiently monitored the unrest, which started on Feb. 22, from the sidelines. Then Salah intervened, declaring Bouteflika – rarely seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013 – unfit to rule.

    If Bouteflika had seen through his original plan to run for a fifth term in spite growing grassroots opposition, that would have put the military under pressure to restore order, instead of focusing on swaying politics from the shadows.

    Continue in Page 2

  • Algeria awaits constitutional signal on Bouteflika’s fate

    Algerians waited on Wednesday for a decision by the constitutional council on whether ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is fit for office, after the top army officer called for his removal in a bid to defuse mass protests.

    Lt-Gen. Ahmed Gaed Salah, addressing officers in a speech broadcast on Tuesday, said the solution to the biggest political crisis since the army canceled elections in 1992 would be the exit of the president on health grounds.

    The position taken by the powerful army chief of staff was a clear signal that the president, who has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, will not survive the protests which have threatened to topple the ruling elite.

    The political turmoil has highlighted growing public discontent with the allegations of corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement that have tarnished Bouteflika’s 20-year rule.

    “This is a default solution following the failure of the negotiations on the departure of the President.

    “It moves away from the democratic transition and approaches a framed succession,” said Hasni Abidi, a Swiss-based Algerian who heads a think tank.

    That approach may break a deadlock for now.

    READ ALSO: Buhari condoles President Bouteflika, Algerians over military plane crash

    Protesters are pushing for an overhaul of the powerful establishment entrenched in power since independence from France in 1962, and the old guard hopes it can put forward a candidate approved by the army.

    For years, rumours have swirled about potential successors but no single credible candidate has emerged with the backing of the military, the political and security establishment who is not at least 70.

    The next formal step is for the constitutional council to formally rule on Bouteflika’s fitness for office. The body has not said when it might reach its decision.

    Any ruling that he is not fit to rule would have to be ratified by members of parliament’s lower and upper house by a two-thirds majority.

    Based on Article 102 of the constitution, the chairman of parliament’s upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah, would serve as caretaker president for at least 45 days in the nation of more than 40 million people.

    The last time the army stepped in during a crisis was in 1992, when the generals canceled an election that Islamists were poised to win.

    That move triggered a civil war that killed an estimated 200,000 people.

    The military remains highly sensitive to any signs of instability and Salah has warned he will not allow the demonstrations to lead to chaos.

    The stakes are high, for Algeria is a leading member of OPEC and a top gas supplier to Europe, although so far oil and gas output appears unaffected by the unrest, an International Energy Agency (IEA) official said on Tuesday.

    Algeria is also regarded by Western states as a partner in counter-terrorism, a significant military force in North Africa and a key diplomatic player in efforts to resolve crises in neighboring Mali and Libya.

  • 2019 Davis Cup: Nigeria battles Tunisia, six others for promotion

    Nigeria will be making another attempt at gaining promotion to the elite division of the Davis Cup as the West African side will battle host – Kenya, Tunisia, Benin Republic, Namibia, Algeria, Mozambique and Madagascar.

    The Africa Group III event will also take place in Nairobi, Kenya from September 11 to 14 on the clay courts of the Nairobi Club.

    After finishing fifth at the 2018 edition, Nigeria will be on the umpteenth time be heading out of the country for a place in the top division. Nigeria’s best outing in the Davis Cup was in 1988 and 1989 editions when the team reached the Group I semifinals.

    According to International Tennis Federation (ITTF), Kenya has been named as the host of the Africa Group III event after the East African nation edged out Tunisia to secure hosting right for the tournament in September.

    Being the second time in a row that Kenya will be hosting the tournament having hosted the 2018 edition in which Kenya, Tunisia and Namibia secured promotion to the Africa Group II. But the trio were denied the participation in the elite cadre after a new sponsor came on board and opted to use a new ranking system which knocked the three promoted countries back to Africa Group III.

    The new ranking system came to effect after a new sponsor, Kosmos Group, an investment firm owned by FC Barcelona and Spain defender, Gerard Pique, signed a deal valued at $3b covering 25 years.

    For Africa Group IV, Brazzaville will play host the qualifiers from June 26 to 29, with the host – Congo Brazzaville facing Cameroun, Rwanda, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, and Cote D’Ivoire on the hard courts of the Complexe Sportif Concorde de Kintele

  • Algeria sets presidential vote for April 18

    Algeria on Friday said its presidential elections will hold on April 18, ending speculation that the vote could be postponed.

    “Bouteflika has issued a decree tasking an electoral commission with preparing for the April 18 polls,’’ the presidency said in a statement.

    It is not clear yet, if incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who suffered a stroke in 2013, will run for a fifth term.

    The 81-year-old wheelchair-bound president has been in power since 1999.

    Read Also: Prosecution stalls hearing of Offa robbery suspects

    According to reports, he is rarely seen in public.

    In recent years, energy-rich Algeria’s finances have been hurt by the global drop in oil prices, prompting cuts in state subsidies.

  • Russia 2018: Is this Africa’s time?

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    Egypt, returning to the Mundial for the first time since 1990, will be the first African team in action when they confront Uruguay on Friday as the 2018 FIFA World Cup began in Russia on Thursday, 14th June.

    The last African match at the World Cup was Algeria’s ouster to Germany at the Round of 16 on June 30, 2014. France had earlier that day sent the Super Eagles of Nigeria packing, falling to two un-replied goals by Paul Pogba and Captain Joseph Yobo, who scored against his own team.

    No African country has ever reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup since its first edition in 1930.The pain of 2010 is still fresh on African minds, eight years down the line. With the World Cup party hosted on African soil for the very first time, many thought Africa would emulate Asia, who hosted the mundial for the first time in 2002 and broke their jinx, with South Korea getting to the semi-finals.

    And it almost turned out right, with one penalty kick from Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan, separating Ghana and Africa from a semi-final place (after Uruguay’s Luis Suarez had committed a foul, stopping a goal-bound header from Dominic Adiya with his hands, and getting sent-off in the process). But the Ghanaian skipper missed it, and his team lost the resultant penalty shoot-out.

    Egypt became the first African team to participate in the World Cup in 1934 in Italy, and bowed out without a win. Africa went on to record its first victory in the FIFA World Cup 44 years later, in 1978, when Tunisia defeated Mexico 3-1.

    Morocco advanced to the Round of 16, taking Africa to that stage for the first time in 1986. They had recorded two draws against Poland and England, but went on to beat Portugal 3-1 in the last group match. They would go on to lose 0-1 to West Germany in the second round.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Fans urge S/Eagles to be wary of best fashion rating

    In 1990, Cameroon got to the quarter-finals for the first time, after Roger Milla scored two extra-time goals against Colombia in the Round of 16. The Indomitable Lions would go no further than that, losing 2-3 to England at extra time.

    Senegal also got to the semi-finals in 2002, but fell to a golden goal by Turkey in extra time of the quarter-finals match. They had a good outing at the finals which included a shock 1-0 victory over defending champions France in the opening match and a golden-goal win against Sweden in the second round.

    Nigeria and Algeria however have the Round of 16 as their best outing so far at the FIFA World Cup, with Algeria falling short to Germany in 2014, and the Super Eagles failing on three attempts in 1994, 1998 and 2014, to qualify for the quarter-finals. They lost to Italy, Denmark and France respectively.

    With five teams representing Africa in 2018, one wonders whether luck will shine on Africa, taking the continent to the last four for the first time ever.

    There is a possibility of two African countries meeting at the Round of 16 or quarter-finals. Egypt, the most successful national team on the African continent, Morocco, who won every match in their qualifiers without conceding a goal, and Nigeria, who make a sixth appearance at the finals, are in Groups, A, B and D respectively. Tunisia, returnees after their last outing in 2006 and Senegal, who makes their second appearance at the World Cup finals, have their slots in Groups G and H respectively. Given that anything is possible in football, two of these sides can meet in the first two knockout stages, and victory can guarantee a place in the semi-finals for the first time.

    It should however be recalled that in 1998, Morocco, Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria were in Groups A, B, C, and D respectively with only Nigeria advancing to the Round of 16 (following Tunisia’s ouster from Group G).

    In 2002, Senegal and South Africa were in Groups A and B respectively, with Cameroon, Nigeria and Tunisia camped in Groups E, F and H. Only Senegal scaled the group stage, and got to the quarter-finals.

    In 2006, Cote d’Ivoire and Angola were in Groups C and D respectively. Ghana, Togo and Tunisia were in Groups E, G and H. Only the Black Stars of Ghana made it to the Round of 16, and fell to Brazil.

    In 2010, with six African teams in the competition, Ghana alone got to the quarter-finals.

    And in 2014, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire got Groups A and C, and Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria were camped in Groups F, G and H.  The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Desert Foxes of Algeria got to the second round, and crashed out there.

    So the arithmetic of a possible meeting based on the group they have found themselves may not visible, seeing that these groups also have the presence Uruguay, Portugal, Spain, Argentina and Belgium.

    Africa however hopes luck will shine this time, 88 years after the first edition.

  • Buhari signs air services pacts with Algeria, Congo, China

    Buhari signs air services pacts with Algeria, Congo, China

    President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday  signed the Instruments of Ratification of the Bilateral Air Services Agreements between the Government of Nigeria, Algeria,  Congo,  China,  Qatar, and Singapore.

    It followed the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Nigeria’s aviation links with the respective countries are expected to improve significantly.

  • Fans seek stiffer penalties against erring African referees

    Fans seek stiffer penalties against erring African referees

    Football fans in Ebonyi have urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to mete stiffer penalties against referees who decide outcome of matches with their biased officiating.

    The fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki were reacting to Gabonese Referee Eric Castane’s controversial penalty award to Algeria which ensured its equalizer against Nigeria on Friday.

    The ‘dead-rubber’ World Cup qualifier played in Constantine thus ended 1-1 with the Eagles already through to ‘Russia 2018’ and finishing its qualification campaign without a loss.

    Emmanuel Uzor, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, noted that Castane towed the path of banned Ghanaian Referee, Joseph Lamptey in deciding the match in Algeria’s favor.

    “It is ridiculous to see a referee awarding a penalty in favour of player who pushed his opponent as the referee wanted to ensure that Algeria did not lose the match at home.

    “Such decisions account for the non-participation of African referees in major soccer competitions and CAF should descend more heavily on defaulters to save us from continued shame,” he said.

    Supporting this assertion, Princewill Nwankwo, a retired referee with the Ebonyi Referees Association, faulted the decision describing it as ‘shameful’.

    “The result is of no consequence to both teams otherwise I could have advised the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to protest the decision like Senegalese did against South Africa.

    “I know as a referee that we are not above mistakes but matches of such magnitude require utmost concentration and alertness from whoever is officiating,” he said.

    Vincent Okpalaka, Former Enugu Rangers International Defender, urged CAF to investigate Castane over the decision but advised Nigeria to concentrate on its subsequent matches.

    “The match showed that Coach Gernot Rohr was right not to feature some players during the qualifiers because those on parade performed below par.

    “The players should improve on their performances against Argentine in the upcoming friendly because Nigerians are already anticipating a drubbing from the South Americans,” he said.

    Chief Josiah Ogodo, a Quarry Operator and Soccer Enthusiast noted that match exposed the lapses in the Eagles which the technical crew should correct immediately.

    “It is clear that the goalkeeping and the left full back positions are still poor while the midfield and attack cannot operate efficiently without Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.

    “Rohr’s job is made difficult due to insufficient FIFA free windows before the world cup as he should stop experimentation and scout for experienced players to fill such positions,” he said.

    Mrs Juliana Nnoli, a Teacher and soccer buff supported this assertion and urged Rohr to maintain the present crop of players for the world cup preparation.

    “The coach should instill confidence in the players and make them believe that they can perform optimally in the world cup even without their best players,” she said.

  • Take Algeria match very serious, Onigbinde tells Super Eagles

    Take Algeria match very serious, Onigbinde tells Super Eagles

    Akinade Onigbinde, the coach of FRSC Football Club of Abuja, on Thursday called on the Super Eagles to see Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria as an all-important match.

    Onigbinde said this in Abuja that this would help them get a good result which would then elevate the team in the FIFA ranking.

    He said the match was capable of either improving or negatively affecting the country’s position in the global football ranking.

    “The match should be taken very serious in order not to drop on the FIFA ranking.

    “Also, the way we play against Algeria will impact positively or negatively on our friendly with Argentina,” Onigbinde warned.

    The coach described the Nigeria/Algeria match as a determinant for Nigeria’s preparations for the World Cup, and urged the players to shun laxity and complacency.

    “The Eagles must go all out to crush Algeria with all it has as a formidable team.

    “I also believe that the match against Algeria is more important than the one against Argentina, because it is the warm-up against Argentina,’’ he said.

    The coach said the team should not succumb to pride or over-confidence, adding that this could result in concession of defeat.

    The Super Eagles will face Algeria in Constantine on Friday in their final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    NAN

  • Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF

    Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF

    Dr Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), on Friday said victory by the Super Eagles over Algeria in their last World Cup match was imperative to uphold national pride.

    Sanusi, who made this known in Abuja said that all necessary preparations were being made for the nation’s male national football team to maintain their lead in Group B of the world cup qualifiers.

    He said that the Super Eagles had all that was required to beat Algeria considering the level of support given to them by the NFF.

    The NFF scribe called on Nigerians to continue to support the team, promising that they would not disappoint the country.

    “The match against Algeria is about national pride and we are doing everything possible to win the match,” Sanusi said.

    NFF had last week released a 24-man list of players for the matches against Algeria and Argentina.

    The Super Eagles, which has qualified for the global event, will play Algeria on Nov. 11 in their last World Cup qualifiers and a friendly against Argentina on Nov.14, ahead of Russia 2018.

    NAN

  • Africa must reposition its economy to attract investors – Osinbajo

    Africa must reposition its economy to attract investors – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Africa to reposition its economy in the direction that will attractive investors because investment depends on the advantages derivable.

    Osinbajo made this call while interacting with a committee of African Ambassadors to Indonesia led by the dean of the group, Ms Alice Mageza of Zimbabwe, on the sideline of his two-day working visit to Jakarta.

    The Ambassadors include those of Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan and Tunisia.

    Mr Laolu Akande, Spokesperson to the Vice President on Media and Publicity disclosed this in a statement made available on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The statement quoted Osinbajo as saying that Africa’s indices of having the lowest integration statistics as well as the lowest GDP ratio can only be reversed by preparing the continent for quality investments that will benefit the people.

    The vice president, who was responding to questions from the Ambassadors on the future of Africa’s economic prosperity, said, “the quality and quantum of potential investors in Africa is huge.

    “But that the way that such investments will go will depend on the advantages that the investors get from investing in such economies.

    “We in Africa must prepare our economies in that direction that attracts such huge and qualitative investments. It is for us to push and we must push,’’ he said.

    On the kinds of investments that Africa desires, Osinbajo said African must focus on the manufacturing sector.

    He noted, “the most important thing for Africa is that whoever wants to invest in our countries should start in manufacturing.’’

    He, however, urged African diplomats in Indonesia to work together in the quest for attracting investment opportunities to Africa.

    Osinbajo said, “if you negotiate together, it is probably going to be more effective than if we negotiate separately.’’

    Earlier, Vice President met with Indonesian business leaders under the auspices of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he stressed the need for Indonesian companies to increase their investment portfolios in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria would like to see more Indonesian companies invest in the manufacturing sector even though there are quite a few activities going on in Nigeria; there is also room for more collaboration and cooperation.

    “The opportunities in the various sectors comprising oil and gas, manufacturing are huge because the major incentive lies in the market, the Nigerian and the West African markets.’’

    Giving an overview of ongoing projects in Nigeria and collaborations between Indonesian and Nigerian businesses, Osinbajo said Nigeria would need a rolling stock in its railway revitalization project.

    He outlined the various incentives given by the Federal Government to attract investors into Nigeria as, government’s efforts at increasing foreign exchange availability through the NIFEX market.

    Others he said include approval of pioneer status for some category of companies to enjoy a range of incentives; establishment of special economic zones; initiatives to increase foreign exchange availability and opening up of marginal fields.

    Earlier, some members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also expressed concern about the declining value of the Indonesia-Nigeria trade which currently stands at $1.70 billion dollars from $3.18 billion in 2012.

    The chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Rosan Roeslani said, “being the 15th largest economy in the world, Indonesia through its investors is desirous of increasing its portfolios to levels that justify Nigeria’s position as the country’s biggest trading partner in Africa.’’

    He said Osinbajo’s visit to Indonesia and meeting with the business leaders are strong indications that Nigeria is ready to take her pride of place among Indonesia’s biggest trading partners in the world.

    On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Indonesia Exim Bank, Shintya Roesly expressed the readiness of the bank to support the revitalization of trade relations between both countries.

    She said this will be through the financing of import and export activities with a view to making even the balance of trade between the two countries.

    Roesly stressed the need for creation of a roadmap and the establishment of a working group with timelines to enhance trade development between both countries.

    Mr Daniel Purba, the representative of PERTAMINA – Indonesian state-owned oil and Natural Gas Corporation said the company has already opened discussions with stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    According to him, this is with the view to investing in Nigeria’s upstream assets.

    There were other interests expressed by investors in the railway, aviation, agriculture and foods sectors.

    The Vice President was accompanied to the meeting by Mr Hakeem Balogun, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Indonesia; Dr Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Mines and Steel Development; Hajiya Zainab Ahmed.

    Others include the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning; Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, the Political Adviser to the President, and other top government officials.

    NAN