As the Algerian government sets pace to elect their
president for the fourth time, Ali Benflis could be the political savior that’s
been long awaited.
When Algeria ended its bloody civil war during the late
90s, the people were promised that things would change. A democratic and free
society heralded the views with hopes of healthcare, employment opportunities
and a freely elected government that would abide by the will of the people.
After two terms, however, nothing changed. It actually got a lot worse. The 1999
election was plagued by accusations of fraud, as was the following election in
2004, which saw Ali Benflis, the former campaign manager and Prime Minister,
defecting to create his own party to run for president.
In 2009, the country was thrown into another quagmire. The
powers in charge decided two five-year terms, as mandated and outlined by the
new constitution, were not nearly enough years in power. It was then ratified in
the constitution to make it legal for a president to preside for more than two
terms. The 2009 election in a landslide vote that was also plagued by fraud
claiming that more than 95 percent of the population agreed to a third term.
Few stand in the way of these aspirations and domination
over state controlled media networks. But Ali Benflis has decided that it is
time to show some real opposition. In April, he has decided to run once again,
with the intent on delivering on the promises that were originally made to the
people.
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