The Algerian opposition party, Front des Forces Socialistes (FFS), is facing an internal crisis as rival groups claim control of the party's local structures. On August 4, a group led by Belkacem Benameur and parliamentarians who were recently expelled from the party announced the formation of a Commission Administrative Fédérale (CAF) for the Bouira province, comprising 27 members. The CAF was tasked with organizing an extraordinary congress to install a new federal bureau.
However, the move has been met with resistance from local party officials, who claim that the CAF is illegitimate and that its members were not informed or consulted about their nomination. The FFS's federal council in Bouira convened an emergency meeting, which was attended by section secretaries, elected officials, and council members. A statement signed by Hocine Nacer Cherif, the first federal secretary of Bouira, denounced the CAF as an attempt to destabilize the party.
Hocine Nacer Cherif, who is also listed as a member of the CAF, accused the rival group of trying to neutralize the party. He claimed that most of the members named to the CAF were not informed or consulted and that he refused to participate in the initiative. Cherif stated that the party's federal bureau in Bouira only recognizes the legitimate and legal structures of the party, which were established during a congress held on September 16, 2017.
The crisis within the FFS began in April, and it appears to be affecting the party's local structures. The rival group, led by Benameur, claims to have installed a new CAF in Bouira, but the local party officials dispute this. Cherif warned that the party's militants should be vigilant and reject any attempts to undermine the party's stability.
The FFS is a significant opposition party in Algeria, and its internal crisis may have implications for the country's politics. The party's leadership, including Ali Laskri, Meziane, and Mohand Cherifi, who form the party's presidential instance, and Dr. Hakim Belahcel, the party's first national secretary, have not commented on the crisis.
The local party officials in Bouira have stated that they will not recognize any parallel structures established by the rival group. Cherif reassured the party's militants that the local structures will remain intact and that the party will continue to function normally. The crisis within the FFS highlights the challenges faced by opposition parties in Algeria.
The developments within the FFS have sparked concerns about the party's future and its ability to play a significant role in Algerian politics. The party's internal crisis may also have implications for the country's democratic process.
Key points
- The FFS party is facing an internal crisis as rival groups claim control of local structures.
- The crisis began in April and has affected the party's local structures.
- The party's leadership has not commented on the crisis.
