Al Qaeda: who is Sheikh Abou Zeid?

AQIM: a book declares revealing the true identity of Abu Zeid
Source: AFP
ALGIERS, October 27, 2010- An Algerian journalist says in a book published this week that he reveal the true identity of the leader of Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), challenging in particular the one assigned by Interpol.
According to Mohamed Mokeddem, director of the Algerian Arabic daily “Ennhar”, Abdelhamid Abu Zeid is called Mohamed Ghadir, not Abid Hamadou as experts on the Sahelian terrorism say and Interpol on its red list of wanted individuals.
The Algerian radical leader is responsible for several kidnappings of foreigners in the Sahel.
In an interview with AFP, Mr Mokaddem explained the mistake beacause both men "have the same story: both were originally smugglers and joined the Islamic Front of Salvation (Fis) of their municipalities respectively.
They have "the same profile: a brother and two cousins who are allied to them and joined the armed groups," added that specialist of AQIM whose book "Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, smuggling on behalf of Islam" was presented at the International Book Fair of Algiers.
Mr. Mokaddem says he could demonstrate his thesis through photos and interviews with the families concerned.
He said Mohamed Ghadir is white, born in the region of Debdeb, near the Libyan border, while Abid Hamadou is black, born in Touggourt in the province of Ouargla (south, 800 km from Algiers).
"According to reports, Abid Hamadou would have fallen under the bullets of the army in the Sahara in the 90s", but his death was not recorded, said the journalist.
It's by comparing the evidence and photographs of two men with their respective mothers, some "repentant" (Veterans radicals Islamist who have benefited from the amnesty decreed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika) and former French hostage Peter Camatte abducted November 25, 2009, that Mohamed Mokeddem arrived at this conclusion.
Camatte, released in February 2010, "confirmed the true identity of Abu Zeid" using the picture that has been submitted, he said.
Mr. Mokeddem also asserts that the French Michel Germaneau kidnapped April 19 and declared and whom Aqmi actually declared killed, died "of a heart attack early last July. His sources are "Algerian merchants who have links in Mali" where the hostage was being held and "sources relating to the security situation in the Sahel region.
Abu Zeid, appeared in 2003 as assistant of Abderazak the Para during the kidnapping of 32 European tourists, and would be responsible for a series of kidnappings, including that of British Dyer executed in June 2009 and more recently, five French, one Malagasy and one Togolese in northern Niger.
Mr. Mokeddem ensures that the businesses of kidnapping makes AQIM live. "The ransoms are transferred for the purchase of ammunition and weapons. This market is very important in Mali and Niger," where soldiers and former Tuareg rebels sell their equipments.
Part of the funds, he assures, is milled in particular "in the fast food and transportation.
According to Mr. Mokeddem, specialist of jihadist networks, this nebula has moved on the ground with the emergence of Nigerian Boko Haram in the north and the hundreds of deaths caused by last year's clashes with the Nigerian army.
"The future of AQIM, he said, is Nigeria not in the Sahel.