Algeria’s political stability is under renewed scrutiny following revelations about President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s deteriorating mental health, raising questions over governance in a country already mired in repression and diplomatic isolation.
In a recent video detailing his meeting with Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, investigative journalist Mohamed Sifaoui shed light on what he calls “the real context” behind Sansal’s predicament and the broader state of Algeria’s leadership.
Sansal, author of The Barbarians’ Oath, expressed his wish to return to Algeria to retrieve personal belongings, including his laptop. Sifaoui warned against the move, arguing that Sansal was “making the same mistake as Emmanuel Macron and most French analysts—believing Algeria is run by rational actors. It is not.”
According to Sifaoui, Tebboune’s erratic behavior and impulsive decisions stem not only from political culture but from a serious medical condition. Citing sources close to the presidency, he claims the 80-year-old leader has been diagnosed with early-stage senile dementia, with doctors suspecting Korsakoff syndrome, a chronic neurological disorder often linked to severe thiamine deficiency and excessive alcohol consumption.
Symptoms include profound memory loss, disorientation, and confabulation—traits increasingly visible in Tebboune’s public appearances and policy choices.
The journalist pointed to recent episodes as evidence: in September, Tebboune falsely declared Algeria had joined the G20. Other statements, such as claims that Algeria could desalinate 1.3 billion cubic meters of water daily, or that one Algerian dinar equals 100 U.S. dollars, have fueled speculation about his cognitive decline.
“This is a regime led by a man incapable of reason,” Sifaoui warned, adding that if Sansal returned, Tebboune might order his re-arrest, forgetting he had previously granted him clemency.
Under Tebboune, Algeria has intensified repression, jailing journalists and intellectuals for challenging official narratives.
The recent arrest of veteran journalist Saad Bouakba for interviews deemed “offensive to revolutionary symbols” underscores the climate of fear. Meanwhile, French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes remains arbitrarily detained, with his appeal set for December 3, a decision Sifaoui says will be dictated from Tebboune’s office, not the courtroom.
