Change in Hamas movement’s course makes it a support for authority in Algeria

Aya Ezz

The members of the Shura Council affiliated with the Movement of Society for Peace (Hamas), which is the political arm of the Brotherhood in Algeria, recently chose the leader Abdelali Hassani Cherif to be the new head of the party, succeeding Abderrazak Makri, whose second term ended, according to the Algerian newspaper Ennahar.

The nomination ceremony took place during the eighth conference held by the Hamas movement at the International Exhibition Hall after candidate Abdul Majeed Manasrah withdrew at the last moment.

Competitors

Members of the Hamas movement proceeded to elect its delegates at the level of the Algerian provinces before the movement’s conference convened, and two competing names emerged to succeed Makri, namely the director of organization in the movement, Abdelali Hassani Cherif, who received great support from the movement’s leaders and is affiliated with the Makri wing, and former Minister of Industry Abdul Majeed Manasrah.

Manasrah started his campaign for candidacy early when he announced his intention to run for the leadership of Hamas in newspapers and through social media platforms so that he could obtain the support of the movement’s Shura Council, which includes more than 300 members.

Meanwhile, Cherif announced his candidacy for the presidency on the second day of the general conference, which was moderated by Makri, and he invited his friends from the leaders of the international organization of the Brotherhood to attend the activities of the conference, including Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas in Palestine.

Course renewal

In conjunction with his candidacy, Manasrah presented a document that he said bears a renewed vision for the movement’s future course. His vision stemmed from three dimensions, the first of which was an explanation of the origins of the movement and its consideration that it does not accept change, and that by losing it, the movement loses its identity. The second is to identify the gains achieved by the movement since its inception until now.

The third dimension is the impact of new developments in today’s world under the influence of the culture of globalization and the advancement of communication technologies on the nature of contemporary human thinking.

Manasrah also called for expanding the base of the movement, valuing the option of unity, developing the shura system and leadership performance, the movement’s political competitiveness, reviving youth and student work, activating the role of women, and presenting a project for the renaissance of Algeria through a broad national movement.

Lack of interest

Manasrah’s program did not receive any interest from the Shura Council, which is dominated by Makri. Rather, he was subjected to a major smear campaign and many accusations against him, especially since he announced his candidacy before the General Conference.

It seems that Manasrah could not bear the fierce campaign he was subjected to and the blows he received. According to the Algerian newspaper Echorouk, Manasrah was seen leaving the General Conference hall on his first day, and that was around two o’clock in the afternoon, without making any statement, after making sure that the balance would be tilted to a large extent in favor of Cherif.

Manasrah said in a post on Facebook, “I had previously expressed my intention to run for the presidency of the movement, but since there were no means to achieve this in a manner that suits what I am convinced of, I preferred not to turn the intention into action during the meeting of the National Shura Council.”

“On this occasion, I apologize to my brothers and sisters who nominated me and who supported my candidacy with conviction, and I assure everyone that the movement continues to unite us, and we are always at its service,” he added.

Win by recommendation

According to Echorouk, Hamas members unanimously recommended Cherif as president, without any other competitor entering the line. They also elected Ahmed Sadouk, Nasser Hamdadouche, and Abdelkrim Dahmane as vice-presidents, all of whom are from the wing loyal to Makri.

This means that the Brotherhood party succeeded in excluding the current seeking reform and renewal.

Offered alternatives

On this issue, the deputy head of the movement, Ahmed Sadouk, said that the eighth conference of the movement was held in quiet conditions characterized by transparent and fair competition.

In a media statement, Sadouk said that a new generation has reached the leadership of the movement after the founding generation and is preparing to transfer it to another level of political action based on activating the role of parties in society.

He added that talking about controlling the results of the conference behind the scenes is non-political talk, but its owners express a lack of competition.

With regard to the movement’s new political directions after the election of the new leadership, Sadouk denied any intention of changing the movement’s course, which is to stay in the opposition while offering alternatives and solutions in dealing with power.

Sadouk pointed out that the directions of the movement are determined by its Shura Council and are binding on all regulars in the party.

Support for the authority

For his part, Algerian political analyst Ali Abdel Aziz said that the new changes in the Hamas movement will be in the interest of the state, as the movement will be a support for it.

Abdel Aziz explained in a statement to the Reference that Cherif will bring the movement very close to power because of the politics he follows, unlike Makri, who was moving away from power and approaching the parties opposing the state. Therefore, the movement will return to its previous situation during the era of Bouguerra Soltani’s leadership.

Internal disputes

Political analyst Imran Khalil said that the Movement of Society for Peace has long been witnessing internal conflicts between its different groups, and those conflicts center around various issues, including political strategy, relations with the Algerian government, and elections in the country.

Khalil confirmed in a special statement to the Reference that the members of the movement differ in their opinions on many different issues related to the movement’s future, and at the present time the dispute is escalating between the hardliners and the moderates within Hamas.

He explained that these conflicts led to the resignation of a large number of prominent leaders in the movement, including Makri.

Khalil added that the current conflict revolves around the movement’s position on the current Algerian government and its position on the upcoming Algerian presidential elections, as opinions differ between hardliners and moderates on whether to boycott the elections or participate in them, and this in turn affects relations within the movement and increases divisions within it.