Algeria: Former Labour Minister handed 7 years for embezzlement

Tijani Hassan Haddam, Algeria’s former Labour Minister, has been handed a prison sentence of 7 years after he embezzled more than $45 million from the country’s coffers, according to The New Arab via AFP, October 1.

Mr Haddam, a prominent figure in Algeria’s public administration, previously headed the National Social Security Fund from 2015 to 2019, where he oversaw key reforms in social welfare management. Following his tenure there, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Labour, serving in the Council of Ministers until 2020, during which he played a central role in shaping national labour and employment policies.

The charges were pursued following his purchase of land, which he claimed was for the Social Security Fund, falsely.

The property manager who sold the former Labour Minister the land was also convicted in the scheme, receiving the same sentence of 7 years in prison.

However, the corruption has also stained various high-ranking members of the Algerian political establishment, with two former mayors from the Algiers municipality being convicted and sentenced to 4 years in jail each.

Meanwhile, another official and the former director of state property were each given 3 years.

According to the local Algerian news outlet, Echorouk, the officials were charged with “exploiting one’s position and granting unjustified privileges to others” as well as “squandering of public funds.”

Mr Haddam left the Algerian government shortly after his boss, former President Abdelaziz Boutefilka, was forced out of office during sweeping pro democracy protests over his 20-year-long stint in power.

As many would expect, his successor, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune who took over in December 2019 on the back of huge demands of democracy and open politics, has launched a massive anti-graft campaign within Algeria’s government establishments.

Tebboune’s efforts have largely targeted former officials and ministers who worked under the Boutefilka administration.

The New Arab via AFP, Maghrebi.org