Algerian nominee Abdelmadjid Tebboune
Algeria … News Time
Algerian nominee Abdelmadjid Tebboune has sworn in. The 74-year-old new president is a former prime minister and is considered close to the powerful Algerian army chief. Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected to the December 12 presidential elections in Algeria. They received 5813 percent of the vote. He took the oath of office Thursday, saying he would begin a consultation process to draft the new Algerian constitution. He said that in the new constitution, the term of the president will be limited to only twice. They have vowed to diversify the economy and fight against corruption. President Tabun, after his first speech, met Army Chief Ahmed Gaid Salah and was awarded the merit medal. He said after his election he was ready to talk to the protesters and would take steps to curb corruption. Corruption is a major problem for this big African country.
Algeria boycotts presidential elections in February and called them a prey to the rule of the ruling elite. The movement has not even recognized the outcome of the presidential election. Thousands of Algerian citizens have been protesting in the country since February. As a result of his protests, former dictator Abdelaziz Boutelfika had to step down in April. He has been declaring new presidential elections in the country in the presence of individuals holding important positions from the previous regime. He was demanding wider reforms in the country before the presidential election and demanded the resignation of prominent figures in key government positions and reform of institutions. Protesters were of the view that if there were a presidential election in the current situation, then the situation would remain the same and no real change would take place.
Salman Hashod, a 24-year-old youth who has been involved in the protest for the past 10 months, said that Abdelmadjid Tebboune is not my president, he is not a representative of the Hirak, so his election is not legal. Until the people become decision makers, the protests should continue. Weekly protests continue on Friday and Tuesday, even after these presidential elections and there have also been reports that police have arrested a large number of protesters in the western city of Oran.
It is clear that there is no leader of this protest movement and the protesters are organizing their gatherings through social media. These include students, social workers and workers in labor unions. He also expressed his reservations over the offer of talks by the new president. “We are not against dialogue and negotiations to end the crisis,” said a student named Abdul Jabbar. But until Abdelmadjid Tebboune has released all the arrested militants, we will not extend our hand to them.
