Fearful of new Hirak, Algeria suspends football league matches

The Algerian regime has put its football league matches on hold under the pretext of “solidarity with Palestine” in a decision that many analysts see as a pre-emptive move to avert a return of the pro-democracy protests, known as the Hirak.

The Hirak has forced the late then ailing Bouteflika to give up a fourth term in office and pressured for a clean break with military rule.

The military junta, using its civilian presidential façade, used the Covid-19 context to suppress the Hirak followed by a crackdown on peaceful demonstrations that was decried by rights groups.

Now, as the war in Gaza intensifies leaving thousands dead among civilians, the regime fears pro-Palestinian protests would serve as a trigger for a return of pro-democracy protests in the country, according to Algerian opposition in exile.

The same country that banned its own league’s football matches ironically offered to host Palestinian team’s football matches, before backpedaling.

The regime has for long used the Palestinian cause for domestic populist indoctrination purposes in a distraction tactic.