By: Said Temsamani
The Secretary General of the National Democratic Rally (RND), Ahmed Ouyahia presented Thursday his resignation to the head of the Algerian political party, the main ally of the National Liberation Front (FLN) that has led the government since the last legislative May elections, reported local media.
“It is now official, the resignation of Ahmed Ouyahia as Secretary General of RND is effective, a position he has held since 1999. He announced his resignation by a letter he sent to members of the National Party, “reports the newspaper” El Watan “in its online edition.
According to the newspaper, the resignation of Ahmed Ouyahia will be effective from January 15, the eve of the meeting of the national council of the party.
For its part, the Algerian electronic journal “All About Algeria” stresses that “Ouayhia Ahmed said in his letter that he will continue presiding the party until his resignation is formalized on January 15.”
The recovery movement triggered within the party has decided to cancel a scheduled meeting on January 5 to withdraw confidence from Ouyahia, the newspaper said, citing a source close to the RND.
According to Yahia Guidoum, former minister stated that “In all fairness, it is us and only us who have borne the SG to this position of responsibility. At the time, we saw him as a young executive competent, open to dialogue and especially rallying, he had, with our help, bring RND top political formations. Unfortunately, he took the path itself initially denounced: despotic management, total absence of dialogue and low absolute reflex: You’ve got nothing to say I know better than you all! ”
The RND, the opponents of the former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, are on the frontlines in recent days to demand the departure of the one they call “despot abysmal!”
“The departure of the former Prime Minister from the top leadership of the RND was expected for several months. Challenged by some of the base and party executives, Ouyahia also wanted to be free of any partisan activities to prepare for the upcoming presidential 2014 elections in which he intends to run.
Political analyst Ahmed Adimi of Algiers University, said Ouyahia was pushed out of power by the generals to clear the way for new faces ahead of elections to give the country’s politics some semblance of change amid popular discontent.
“The powers that be need stability in the parties of the ruling coalition but with new personalities at their head,” he said. “Ouyahia’s mission is over.”
On Friday, the Algerian daily El-Khabar, reputed for its close contacts to security services, suggested that Ouyahia was pushed out because of his barely concealed presidential ambitions.
About the author:
Said Temsamani
Said Temsamani is a Moroccan political observer and consultant, who follows events in his country and across North Africa. He is a Senior Fellow, Merdian International Center Washington DC, Founder and CEO “Public Initiatives” Consulting firm and Former Senior Political Advisor, US Embassy Rabat, Morocco.
