ALGERIA, WORLD NEWS
ALGERIA OPPOSITION PUSHES FOR REFORM
JUNE 14, 2014 MAGHAREBIA
By Fidet Mansour
Opposition figures from across the Algerian political spectrum gathered in the capital on Tuesday (June 10th) to chart a new course.
The Co-ordination for Political Transition and Freedoms (CLTD), which organised the meeting at the Hotel Mazafran, also persuaded former government figures such as ex-Prime Ministers Mouloud Hamrouche and Ali Benflis to attend.
All opposition parties were present. Islamists, secular politicians, democrats, nationalists and representatives of the disbanded Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) sat down at the same table to discuss the political situation in the country. The opposition has rarely been so united since the advent of multi-party politics in 1989.
Abdallah Djaballah, the president of the El Adala party, expressed his “delight at seeing this meeting take place on Algerian soil. For the first time, all movements of different allegiances are coming together”.
Mouloud Hamrouche, a former prime minister, said that he had “always dreamed of this moment when parties with different ideologies would meet. Only now can we speak of political pluralism in Algeria”.
“All Algerians must help one another to ensure that this transition is brought about by all national forces,” Former FIS leader Ali Djeddi said.
“Our proposals are emergency measures to calm the situation, including opening up the media sector, taking care of all victims of the Black Decade without distinction, and entering into dialogue. The transition period must not last more than 30 months,” he added.
The political issues put forward for debate by CLTD included “respect for the republican framework of the Algerian state” and “preserving national unity and the rejection of all forms of violence in political work”.
They also called for “free and responsible dialogue between Algerians” in order to cement the rule of law.
After nine hours of discussions, a statement containing 11 recommendations was published.
These recommendations included continuing to campaign for real change that will bring about “sovereignty of the people in the selection of their representatives and oversight of them”, “deeper dialogue to enrich the political stage”, and a “connection with all categories of people to raise their awareness of the virtues of democracy”.
The participants want to involve women and young people in the process of democratic transition and “promote civic values”.
The meeting was attended by over 400 participants. But in a press conference held just a few minutes before the political conference began, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal rejected the idea of a transition.
“The government is open to serious dialogue, but it does not share the idea of transition. A transition to what?” he asked.
“Algeria is past this stage. We have strong institutions, which have functioned properly despite the president’s illness,” he stated.
The meeting to discuss political transition also drew reactions on Algeria’s streets.
“I’m delighted to see the opposition united at long last. This initiative must be strengthened and encouraged,” student Hadia Samar said.
Others felt that the occasion was marred by the presence of representatives of the disbanded FIS.
“Its leaders did so much damage to Algeria that I can’t tolerate them coming back today to dictate a way out of the crisis to us,” Hajer Salhi said.
