The Algerian Presidency made a surprise announcement  on Tuesday  that the current Prime Minister Abdelmajid Tebboune had been removed and replaced by Ahmed Ouyahia, a former PM on several occasions.

Tebboune’s dismissal comes less than three months after he was appointed.

Tebboune was publicly criticized by the Algerian Presidency earlier in August, after he was accused of obstructing the activities of Algerian businessmen.

His successor, the leader of the National Democratic Rally (RND), Algeria’s second major political party, has been serving as Bouteflika’s head of cabinet.

Ouyahia served as head of government and prime minister three times between 1995 and 2012.

His appointment seems to be another move in the chess game of Algerian politics, in which army generals, civilian high officials, and businessmen vie for power.

Since the deterioration of the health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2013, observers of Algerian politics point to the mounting influence of his younger brother, Said, who serves as his advisor.

Source: BNA