Chaotic Aftermath for the African "Paris"...

The Soccer War

Algeria Hides Its Face

(Pgs. 95-111)

September 5, 2007

9:00 P.M.

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A little background on Kapuscinki and the book, The Soccer War:

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... INDENT Kapuscinski, a reporter for the Polish Press Agency, covered (and lived through) 27 revolutions in developing countries. However, he is more famous for his coverage of African revolutions as his accounts of the end of European colonialism in the continent are renown in modern literature. The Soccer War, recounts just some of his adventures as a press reporter in Africa and the Americas. It can be considered the story behind the news.

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"...the millions of unemployed, the rural poverty, the confusion in the

private sector, the lack of expertise, the gap between what the government said

would do for the country and its actual state, the deficit... Economic stagnation, internal disappointments, bureaucratic inertia, and the immobility of the masses... (109)."

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... INDENT I began reading The Soccer War on pg. 95. This chapter is perfect to begin the book with; it introduces the reader to Kapuscinski's views on colonialism and its effects on a freed country. Although Kapuscinski is reporting the news as they break, he personalizes the news and adds some humanity for his reader to connect with them.

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... INDENT It's amazing to see a first hand account of how deeply colonialism uprooted the Algerian culture and its long lasting effects on the political and economical infrastructure of the country. The French increased the social cleavages, drained the country of economical stability, and ostrasized the countryside, making Algiers all of Algeria. Just as well, during the Revolution, the French antagonized brothers, neighbors, and entire towns to choose which side to fight for. These deep scars weren't forgotten when it was time to rebuild the war torn country.

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... INDENT By now, many historians and people agree that colonialism had a negative effect on the colonies that were usually exploited for their mother country's financial gain. After being ruled by the French for over 130 years, Algeria had lost the very notion of an independent government or nation. They were part of France, and something they were very proud of as it reflected in Algiers, the "Paris of Africa." However, with the Revolution epidemic that took place between the 1950s and 1970s, Algeria wanted to reach a freedom for which it wasn't prepared either economically, politically, or even psychologically. The lack of economical infrastructure, international ties, and the large gap between the rich and poor didn't allow for a succesful revolution to take place.

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... INDENT With all this said, it is impossible to expect Ben Bella or any other ruler, as a matter of fact, to govern efficiently and dutifully. How could he have time to govern if there was always a coup or a revolt he had to appease? How could he accomplish anything if his enemies were watching his every move and blocking his every pass? He did the best he could with the tools he had; it's not easy to govern, especially not a country on the verge of a civil war. Ben Bella was in reality a good governor. He cared about the countryside, the people (everyone: women and peasants included), and his Algeria. Ben Bella didn't care to make himself more powerful; he truly wanted a free Algeria to succeed. When he saw that all the disagreements and internal turmoil couldn't bring national success, he began to root for Algeria on the international front. That was probably his downfall. He was too ambitious, too soon.

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... INDENT The Algerian Revolution had no chance of being a peaceful transition from slavery to freedom. The Algerians didn't have the tools necessary to set up an effective and stable government right after the revolution; they still thought like the enslaved colony of before. No matter who had taken power, whether it was Ben Bella, or the guerrillas, or Zbiri wasn't prepared to be a free country. The psychological burden of colonial rule and the lack of skills to survive in a capitalist world greatly hindered any chance of a succesful revolution. I am not blaming Algeria for its history, however, France is completely at fault here, just like any other European power who exploited colonies for their own benefit.

Make the Revolution a parent of settlement, and not a nursery of future revolutions.
EDMUND BURKE, Reflections on the Revolution in France

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