A deepening crisis within the Aïn Zaouïa People's Communal Assembly (APC) in Algeria has taken a new turn with the local council's mayor, Ali Amrani, and two vice-presidents, Mohamed Saidani and Hamid Nezlioui, locked in a dispute over their exclusion from the assembly. The controversy began when Saidani and Nezlioui, who represent independent and PT parties respectively, publicly denounced the mayor's alleged mismanagement. In response, the mayor proposed their exclusion from the assembly, which was initially approved on September 3.
However, the head of the Draâ El-Mizan district, where Aïn Zaouïa is located, initially approved the exclusion but later reversed the decision on September 4, effectively reinstating Saidani and Nezlioui to their positions. The two vice-presidents claim they will not step down unless they receive official exclusion orders from the wali, the provincial governor. They argue that their appointments were made by the wali and that only he has the authority to revoke them.
The mayor disputes the vice-presidents' stance, citing Article 70 of the communal code, which outlines the procedures for appointing and replacing vice-presidents. According to Amrani, the article stipulates that the list of vice-presidents must be approved by the assembly, and he believes that Saidani and Nezlioui's exclusion was validly approved. The mayor argues that the head of the district's decision to annul the exclusion was not in line with regulations.
Saidani and Nezlioui counter that Article 70 does not apply to their situation, as they were appointed by the wali and not by the assembly. They maintain that the article's provisions regarding the replacement of vice-presidents do not concern them. The standoff between the mayor and the vice-presidents has created uncertainty about the future of the APC, which has been functioning with difficulties since the November 2017 elections.
The Aïn Zaouïa APC consists of 15 members, with four from the FLN, three from the RCD, three independents, two from the PT, and three from the FFS. The assembly has been inactive for almost a year, and the current crisis has raised concerns about the impact on local governance. The mayor has indicated that he will await a decision from the wali, which is expected early next week.
The dispute has sparked concerns among local residents, who are eager for the council to function effectively and address pressing issues in the community. The crisis has also highlighted the complexities of local governance in Algeria, where tensions between elected officials and administrative authorities can often arise.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the wali will intervene to resolve the dispute. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the functioning of the APC and the delivery of services to the local population. The mayor and the vice-presidents are set to await the wali's decision, which could either ease tensions or further escalate the crisis.
Key points
- - The crisis within the Aïn Zaouïa APC centers on the exclusion of two vice-presidents, Mohamed Saidani and Hamid Nezlioui, by the mayor, Ali Amrani. - The head of the Draâ El-Mizan district initially approved the exclusion but later reversed the decision, reinstating Saidani and Nezlioui to their positions. - The dispute revolves around the interpretation of Article 70 of the communal code and the authority of the wali in appointing and revoking vice-presidents.
