The mayor of Bejaia, Hocine Merzougui, and the vice-president charged with culture have been suspended by the local authorities amid allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds. The suspension was effected by the Wali of Bejaia, Ahmed Maabed, under article 43 of the communal code, which allows for the suspension of elected officials facing judicial proceedings. Merzougui and the vice-president are members of the Front des forces socialistes (FFS).
The allegations against Merzougui and the vice-president relate to their management of the Bejaia city festival committee. According to reports, the two officials were questioned by a judge in early January as part of an investigation into the committee's finances. The judicial authorities have been examining the committee's accounts for over a month, with reports of large sums of money being spent and suspicions of embezzlement and overcharging.
The Wali of Bejaia has invited all commune officials to a meeting to discuss the implications of Merzougui's suspension. The meeting is expected to take place at the commune headquarters, where the successor to Merzougui is likely to be announced. According to reports, Merzougui's colleague, Abdenour Tafoukt, is likely to take over as the new mayor.
The FFS has reacted strongly to the suspension of Merzougui, denouncing what it calls "authoritarian actions" by the Wali of Bejaia. In a statement, the party's national secretary, Hakim Belahcel, accused the Wali of targeting FFS officials as part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices. The party has also accused the Wali of using the judicial system to intimidate and undermine the commune's elected officials.
The FFS has vowed to defend the dignity of its elected officials and the sovereignty of the people. In a statement, the party said it would not remain silent in the face of these actions and would use all peaceful means at its disposal to resist the attempts to undermine its position in the region. The party has also called on its supporters to participate in a mass rally to protest the suspension of Merzougui and to defend the commune's autonomy.
The rally, scheduled for February 9, 2020, is expected to draw large numbers of people from across the region. The FFS has called on all elected officials and residents of Bejaia to participate in the event, which aims to denounce what the party sees as an abuse of power by the Wali and to defend the commune's rights.
The suspension of Merzougui and the vice-president has sparked a major controversy in Bejaia, with many residents expressing concern about the implications for the commune's governance and development. The Wali's actions have been seen as part of a broader pattern of interference in the commune's affairs, with many accusing the authorities of trying to undermine the FFS's influence in the region.
Key points
- The Algerian authorities have suspended the mayor of Bejaia, Hocine Merzougui, and the vice-president amid allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds.
- The FFS has denounced the suspension as an "authoritarian action" by the Wali of Bejaia and vowed to defend the dignity of its elected officials.
- A mass rally has been called for February 9, 2020, to protest the suspension of Merzougui and to defend the commune's autonomy.
