The Front des Forces Socialistes (FFS) party in Algeria is experiencing increased tensions as internal conflicts escalate. The party's Instance présidentielle has been embroiled in a dispute, leading to the announced resignation of three members. This move has been met with opposition from other party members, who claim it is an attempt to seize control of the party. The conflict has led to the convocation of the Commission de préparation du congrès national (CPNC) by its president, Mohand Amokrane Chérifi, for a meeting on March 14.
The CPNC, comprising 18 members, was convened in accordance with a statement from the Instance présidentielle on February 27, 2020. The statement called for the resignation of three members and the application of Article 48 of the party's statutes, leading to the convocation of an extraordinary national congress to elect a new Instance présidentielle. However, some party members have expressed concerns over the legitimacy of this move, citing the fact that the same conditions and composition are being repeated, which may lead to the same outcome.
Nabila Smail, an avocate and cadre du parti, has publicly questioned the initiative, stating that the militants refuse this coup de force. She argued that holding two extraordinary congresses in the same conditions with the same composition would be futile. Nora Mahiout, another cadre du FFS, shared similar concerns, describing the move as "stupid" and a "suicide" for the party.
Ali Laskri, a member of the Instance présidentielle, has distanced himself from his former colleagues, accusing them of plotting against the party. In a letter to militants, Laskri claimed that the actions of the Instance présidentielle were anti-statutory, citing the non-actuated resignation of three members and the convocation of the CPNC in an irregular manner.
Laskri further criticized the composition of the CPNC, which includes parliamentarians who were excluded from the party a year ago. He argued that this move demonstrates a "fuite en avant" and an anti-statutory coup de force. Laskri also expressed concerns over the timing of the extraordinary congress, suggesting that its purpose is to waste time and neutralize the party.
In his letter, Laskri urged militants to continue preparing for the ordinary congress, which was scheduled for July 2019. He called on them to counter the anti-statutory coup de force and to safeguard the party's political line, which he believes is being threatened by "contre-révolutionnaires" within the party.
The conflict within the FFS party highlights the challenges faced by Algerian politics, particularly in the aftermath of the 2019 protests. The party's internal struggles may have implications for the country's democratic process and the role of opposition parties in shaping Algeria's future.
Key points
- The FFS party is experiencing internal conflict over the convocation of a national congress.
- The conflict centers on the legitimacy of the convocation and the composition of the CPNC.
- The party's internal struggles may have implications for Algeria's democratic process.
