The Intellectual Elite in the Service of Algiers’ Masters: Anonymous and Treacherous
In the corridors of Algerian power, behind the deceptive appearances of official leaders, lurks an invisible yet influential force: the intellectual elite in the service of Algiers’ masters. These elites, the true architects operating in the shadows, have controlled Algeria since its independence in 1962, not by the will of the people but through their allegiance to the regime and their desire to preserve their own power. They are neither elected nor held accountable. They serve their own interests above all, as well as those of the authoritarian system that dominates the country.
Often coming from military, intelligence, and closed political circles, these strategic actors have, for decades, shaped Algeria’s trajectory. Although largely unknown to most Algerians, their influence pervades every corner of the state. Not satisfied with abandoning the founding principles of the Algerian Revolution, they have also sacrificed the nation’s future for their personal comfort and to maintain the status quo.
The Brains of Authoritarianism: The Military-Intelligence Complex
Since independence, Algeria has been governed by a military-intellectual oligarchy composed of generals, intelligence officers, and political advisors, who pull the strings behind the scenes. This group, often referred to as “The Power,” has maintained its grip on the country’s institutions and economy, while stifling any winds of democratic change.
Figures such as Major General Mohamed Touati are part of this elite who planned and led the repressive operations during the Algerian civil war of the 1990s, known as the Black Decade. During this time, these individuals devised a ruthless response to the Islamist insurgency, orchestrating campaigns of terror, extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and torture.
Instead of protecting the state, these intellectual elites consolidated their own power. They were generously rewarded for their loyalty to the regime, amassing wealth through privileged access to state resources and economic contracts. Their main goal was to maintain the status quo while betraying hopes for a fairer and more democratic future for Algeria.
Betrayal of the People: From Independence to Repression
The war of independence against France was a symbol of sacrifice and courage, promising a free, dignified, and sovereign Algeria. However, after independence, the people’s dreams were quickly betrayed. The National Liberation Front (FLN), once a champion of freedom, became a tool of repression, and the ruling elite seized power, replicating the same authoritarian structures they had fought against.
This betrayal reached its peak in the 1990s when the army annulled the elections won by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). The coup that followed, orchestrated by figures like Touati, plunged the country into a bloody civil war. The repression was not aimed at protecting the state but at safeguarding the elite’s hold on power.
The civil war, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, served as a pretext for these elites to impose severe repression, crushing all opposition under the weight of terror. Innocent civilians were massacred, journalists silenced, entire villages destroyed, while this elite remained sheltered, accumulating power and wealth.
Invisible Masters: Discreet but Powerful
One of the most insidious traits of this intellectual elite is their anonymity. Figures like Mohamed Touati played pivotal roles behind the scenes, but their names are rarely known to the public. Protected by the structures of power, they managed to evade responsibility for their violent and repressive actions.
Their loyalties proved highly profitable. Through state contracts and control of natural resources, these elites thrived, even as the majority of Algerians continued to live in poverty. These men, though invisible to the public, governed the country indirectly, using security services and intelligence networks to control every aspect of public and political life.
Traitors to the Nation: Serving Power, Not the People
The actions of these elites not only thwarted the dream of a free and democratic Algeria but also enabled the dictatorial regime to persist. During the civil war, figures like Touati played a central role in establishing a regime of terror. Their loyalty was never to the people but to the authoritarian state, ready to crush any dissent, whether internal or external.
The war on terrorism, which they used as a pretext for their brutality, served as a cover for a war against any form of opposition. Whether journalists, intellectuals, or ordinary citizens, anyone questioning the regime was silenced, often violently. This systematic repression left deep scars, reinforcing a state based on fear and oppression.
Conclusion: A Persisting Cabal
The intellectual elite in the service of Algiers’ masters has never ceased to dominate. These discreet figures, little known to the general public, are in fact the true leaders of Algeria. Their legacy is one of betrayal and oppression, as they have systematically sold the country’s future to maintain their power. This cabal still reigns. It has survived Bouteflika, the Hirak, and the most recent dismal elections. As long as these elites remain in power, the dreams of freedom, dignity, and justice for the Algerian people will remain out of reach.
Khaled Boulaziz
