Abdul Razzaq bin Abdullah
01 March 2019•Update: 02 March 2019
ALGIERS
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's planned bid for a fifth term in office is an “insult to the Algerian people”, Ali Benflis, a former prime minister, said Friday, urging the public to reject it.
Benflis made the remarks at a press conference in Algiers held in advance of anticipated demonstrations against Bouteflika’s planned bid for a fifth term.
The planned demonstrations are being organized by Algerian activists on platforms.
“The Algerian people must be united behind a single demand -- namely, that Bouteflika from vying for yet another presidential term,” Benflis said.
“ term in office,” he added, “would be an insult to the [Algerian] people.”
The former PM went on to confirm his participation in the planned demonstrations: “Today, I’m just a normal citizen who stands against a fifth presidential term.”
Last month, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front officially nominated the 81-year-old Bouteflika -- who has ruled Algeria since 1999 -- to run in presidential elections slated for April 18.
Opposition leaders have repeatedly urged the aging head of state -- who in 2013 was treated for a blood clot in the brain -- to refrain from contesting the poll.
Anti-Bouteflika demonstrations have since been reported in several Algerian provinces, including Annaba, Setif, , Jijel, Bejaia Ouzou, Buira, Bumerdas, Tiaret, Relizane, Vahran Ouargla.
Writing By Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg
