Algerian transition should reflect people's wishes: UN chief

The UN chief said he looks forward to a peaceful and democratic transition process that reflects the wishes of the Algerian people on Wednesday, after the resignation of the president.

MENA

3 min read

The New Arab

03 April, 2019

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he looks forward to a peaceful transition in Algeria [AFP]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he looks forward to a peaceful and democratic transition in Algeria following the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The 82-year-old ailing leader, who had been in power in Algiers for two decades, stepped down after weeks of street protests against his rule.

Guterres "salutes the mature and calm nature in which the Algerian people have been expressing their desire for change," said a UN statement.

"He looks forward to a peaceful and democratic transition process that reflects the wishes of the Algerian people."

On the streets of Algeria, jubilant protesters celebrated the resignation of Bouteflika after 20 years in power, but vowed to keep protesting until they see a sweeping change to the country's whole political apparatus.

"I want my daughter to remember this historic day. Bouteflika's gone, but it's far from over," said 35-year-old Amal, who wore a T-shirt with the slogan "I am against the system" and vowed to march again on Friday.

Algerians sounded their car horns in the centre of the capital Algiers to cheer the departure of Bouteflika, who has rarely appeared in public since a 2013 stroke.

Bouteflika’s resignation was declared two days after a statement he made on Monday in which he announced his new plan to stay in power for months beyond the expiry of his term on April 28.

On Sunday, he had named a new government mainly consisting of technocrats under recently appointed premier Noureddine Bedoui.

Many Algerians are determined to continue protests to ensure a transition that rids Algeria of the whole "system".

"Bouteflika's departure is no longer enough. We want them all to go. We want full freedom and we will march for as long as necessary," 44-year-old engineer Hamid Boumaza told AFP.

For him Bouteflika's resignation was "too little, too late".

Others, however, like Bilan Brahim, have some tribute to pay to the outgoing veteran leader.

"Bouteflika worked. I voted for him at first, but he didn't know how to leave with his head held high," he said, regretting that Bouteflika had clung to power for two decades.

The 2011 uprising that swept across North Africa and Middle East, and toppled rulers in neighbouring countries, hardly affected Algeria.

However, the disgruntled population’s anger flared up after Bouteflika’s declaration in February that he would seek a fifth mandate in office in an election that had been scheduled for this month.

As Algerians ramped up their pressure, state television announced late Tuesday that Bouteflika "officially advised the Constitutional Council of the end of his term of office as President of the Republic".

"This decision which I take in my soul and conscience is destined to contribute to the appeasement of the hearts and minds of my compatriots, to allow them to take Algeria towards a better future to which they legitimately aspire," Bouteflika’s resignation letter said.

Bouteflika was seen, in a video footage, dressed in a beige North African tunic sitting in his wheelchair, submitting his resignation letter to the head of the Constitutional Council, Tayeb Belaiz.

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