Zeroual: unlimited presidential terms hinder democracy in Algeria

Algeria’s former President Liamine Zeroual Wednesday said he is concerned about current circumstances in the country ahead of the presidnetial elections due to be held in April.

“Following a series of unusual events and statements ahead of an electoral event, my moral duty obliges me to express my position. I share the same feelings and fears of Algerian people,” said Zeroual in a letter addressed to people.

He added that current events push anyone who cares for Algeria’s stability to raise concerns.

This comes as Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal was criticized for his remarks said to be provocative to Chaoui people and considered by Sellal as a “joke.”

Zeroual criticized the 2008’s amendement of the Constitution as presidential terms became unlimited.

“That amendment diverted the national recovery process as it was meant to reach new horizons through democracy,” he said.

He believes that power alternation set by the 1996’s constitutional amendment aimed at enhancing national coherence and solidarity between generations and founding structural bases for sustainable stability.

“We learnt from democracy in the world that the strong state accepts coexistence with an anti-power,” he added.

“Transparency principle in administration, public affairs, the State’s resources running and personal and collective freedoms exercise constitute a strong guarantee for good governance and an efficient tool to fight all the kinds of oppression and corruption.”