The Algerian judiciary has launched proceedings against 79-year-old journalist Saïd Bouakba, accusing him of «spreading false, inaccurate, and defamatory information, and insulting state symbols and independence war figures», as reported this Thursday by various local media. The veteran journalist is accused of indirectly touching on the sensitive subject of the Eastern Sahara. In a recent interview with an online media outlet, Bouakba recounted that during the early 1960s at an Organization of African Unity (OAU) summit, former Algerian President Ahmed Ben Bella had sought the support of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser for maintaining colonial-era borders. This appeal was also extended to the leaders of Ghana and Guinea. Bouakba clarified that Algeria, at that time, was unable to openly state this stance due to its ongoing border disputes with Morocco. For background, prior to Algeria's independence in 1962, Ahmed Ben Bella had advocated for Moroccan sovereignty over the Eastern Sahara and condemned French nuclear tests conducted on «Moroccan territory». The arrest of Saïd Bouakba follows a complaint lodged by the Ministry of Moudjahidine. On Thursday, an investigating judge ordered his provisional detention, with his trial set for December 5. It is notable that French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was similarly imprisoned for a year in Algeria after stating in a French media interview that historically, the Eastern Sahara is Moroccan.
