Algerian President Abdelkader Bensalah has formed a panel of six independent personalities to lead a national dialogue aimed at paving the way for a presidential election. The panel members, who were received by Bensalah, include Karim Younes, Benabbou Fatiha, Lalmas Smaïl, Lazhari Bouzid, Abdelwahab Bendjelloul, and Benaïssa Azzedine. They were tasked with leading an inclusive dialogue to ensure the election is held in a transparent and regular manner.
The national dialogue was initially called for by President Bensalah on July 3, with the aim of organizing a presidential election, which is considered a priority. The President emphasized that the election is the only truly democratic solution to overcome the current situation. The panel's primary objective is to ensure the election is held with the required regularity and transparency to prevent any contestation and to restore the people's trust in the electoral process.
The panel members are considered independent personalities with no partisan affiliations or electoral ambitions. They were chosen based on proposals and recommendations from civil society actors and the associative movement, taking into account specific criteria. According to the Presidency, the panel's composition required a considerable amount of time to ensure the selection of credible and acceptable personalities.
President Bensalah has expressed his commitment to supporting the panel's mission, including providing technical and logistical assistance. He also announced measures to address concerns raised by the panel, such as examining the possibility of releasing individuals arrested during popular marches, easing security measures to facilitate freedom of movement, and promoting access to public media for diverse opinions.
The national dialogue aims to bring together all segments of Algerian society, including the political class, civil society actors, national personalities, and representatives of the popular movement. The Presidency guarantees the panel's independence in organizing the dialogue, including its modalities, duration, and agenda. The dialogue will focus on all aspects related to the organization of the presidential election, including its preparatory stages, necessary conditions, and electoral calendar.
The panel will work to create a concerted approach based on the broadest possible consensus. According to the Presidency, the State, including the military, will not participate in the dialogue but will maintain strict neutrality throughout the process. This approach aims to prevent any misinterpretation and to dissipate any misunderstanding.
The Algerian government hopes that the national dialogue will contribute to creating the necessary conditions for a transparent and regular presidential election. The panel's mission will begin immediately, with the support of the State, to ensure the success of the dialogue and the subsequent electoral process.
Key points
- Algerian President Abdelkader Bensalah forms a panel of six independent personalities to lead a national dialogue.
- The national dialogue aims to ensure a transparent and regular presidential election.
- The panel's composition was based on proposals from civil society actors and the associative movement.
