Sid Ahmed Ghozali: French named Hamrouche the “Reforms Man”

Algeria’s former head of government Sid Ahmed Ghzali said pluralism that was launched late in the 80’s was an “alleged political opening,” in response to remarks made by the wife former President Chadli Bendjdid.

“French gave Mouloud Hamrouche the name ‘The Reforms Man.’ Speaking about reforms in Algeria, we have to come back to history. Bendjdid’s team wanted him to erase his predecessor’s achievements,” Ghzali told Echorouk.

He added that Bendjdid was not motivated to turn his back to former President Houari Boumediene’s policy. “Yet, people surrounding him convinced him to hit the trace of his ancestors so that he would appear as the reforms president.”

Ghzali believes that reforms conducted by Bendjdid are no mare just a coup without giving an efficient alternative.

He described the political opening which resulted from the 89 Constitution as made by Algeria’s former head of government Mouloud Hamrouche. “Chadli Bendjdid had resigned morally since the October 5^th events. Hamrouche supervised all the reform projects.”