Algerian President bizarrely sends out invitations to opposition
It what can be seen as a bizarre move, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s office sent out invitations to opposition leaders for meetings with the Algerian head, according to The Arab Weekly and Agencies.
Analysts have perceived it as a posturing tactic given that Tebboune is seeking reelection next year. Also opposition parties and rights groups worldwide have recently castigated the North African country’s dismal human rights record.
In July 2023, Human Rights Watch, a New-York based international NGO, wrote, “Algerian authorities continue to arrest and imprison peaceful activists, human rights defenders, and journalists for their critical expression. Some of them face terrorism-related charges based on an overbroad definition of terrorism.
“The authorities have dubiously labeled two political opposition groups, the Rachad Movement, and the Movement for the Self-Determination of the Kabylie region (MAK) as “terrorist organizations” in May 2021. The crackdown on opposition parties, independent civil society organizations, and media outlets connected to the “Hirak” pro-reform protest movement has intensified since President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected in 2019.
“Between June 2022 and April 2023, the authorities dissolved two prominent organizations, the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH) and Rassemblement Action Jeunesse (RAJ) as well as two media outlets, Radio M and Maghreb Emergent.”
READ:Algeria: Tebboune meets leftist leader
Those who have been contacted by the President’s office are unsure whether it is to address genuine concerns or if it is for Tebboune’s personal political gain.
On December 11, the general secretary of the Socialist Workers Party, Louisa Hanoune, was welcomed by the head of state at the Mouradia Palace in Algiers.
Before the talks, no meeting like this had been held since Tebboune rose to power back in December 2019.
During the conversation, the Palestine issue was addressed, more notably Gaza. The two political figures acknowledged that it was challenging to get much needed aid from North Africa into the enclave, where 20,000 have died since October 7.
Mr Tebboune has repeatedly emphasised his solidarity with the Palestinian struggle and called for the state to be granted full membership of the United Nations at the General Assembly back in September.
APS/ The Arab Weekly
