Algeria Split Up After Constitutional Vote For New Republic

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Africa Politics October 2, 2020

Algeria is preparing for a constitutional referendum that the establishment says will usher in a ‘New Republic’ boosting freedoms. The opposition on the other hand dismisses as window-dressing by a repressive regime.
Many ordinary Algerians seem unaware of the details of the government’s proposal just a month away from the November vote. They have struggled during a deep economic crisis that has seen unemployment soar.

Opposition leaders said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s flagship initiative fails to provide meaningful political change. Djamal Bahloul of the Socialist Forces, Algeria’s oldest opposition party said this is yet another coup against popular sovereignty.

Where everything arose;

The authorities in Algeria have continued to reshuffle constitutions through technical commissions while ignoring the people. A sudden protest movement, known as ‘Hirak’ mobilized from February 2019 to force Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign. He had stayed in power for two decades.

Tebboune won a presidential election in November but the protest movement said the vote was a sham. The official turnout was less than 40%. He served as a prime minister under Bouteflika and protesters see him as emblematic to a regime they want to destroy.

Peaceful demonstrations continued to happen until a need to social distance came in early this year.
The MSP, an opposition party with the most seats in parliament has called on to its members to participate in the referendum. However, it advised them to vote for rejection of the proposals.

The party condemns ‘secular’ elements of the reform including provisions that shield mosques from political interference. It also objects to proposals ensuring women are protected ‘’against all forms of violence in all places and all circumstances’’. Their basis for this is that this would threaten the private family sphere.

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