01.03.10 Menas Associates Algeria - Why has President Bouteflika missed three key events?

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's health has been bad for some years now and has been the subject of countless rumours.

We therefore emphasise that this information, from our sources in Algeria, is WITHOUT VERIFICATION.

There have, however, been strong and persistent rumours in Algiers throughout the course of today (Monday 1st March) that Bouteflika's health has deteriorated greatly and that he has been taken to Europe, probably Switzerland or France, for emergency treatment.

Even if this 'rumour' is unfounded, it gives an insight into popular thinking in Algeria. There is a strong feeling running throughout the country that 'it is at an end of an era'.

What we can confirm is that President Bouteflika has been absent from three important events over the last 10 days.

Having never previously missed either of these since being appointed president, he did not attend:
- the 39th anniversary of the nationalisation of the oil and gas industry;
- the celebration of Mawlid (the Prophet's birthday).

Neither did he attend national police chief Ali Tounsi's funeral, nor even visit the home of his family to offer condolences (as he did with Smain Lamari).

His absence from these occasions suggests that his health, and possibily his mind, have suddenly become very much weaker. It is also suggested to us by our sources that the stress of the ongoing infighting within the regime has contributed to the worsening of his condition.

A full report will be provided in this week's Algeria Politics & Security.