Algeria’s army chief, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, on Wednesday called out for a dialogue between protesters and state institutions in a bid to solve the ongoing political crisis in the country.
“I remain entirely convinced that adopting constructive dialogue with the institutions of the state is the only way to exit from the crisis,” Salah said in a statement released by the defense ministry, reported Africa News.
He added that conducting a dialogue is the wisest way to present constructive proposals, bring points of view closer and reach a consensus around the available solutions.
Former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down from his post vowing to mass protests by protestors. An interim president has been put in place and elections set for July 4, but protests continue to demand a complete radical change and a political system free from systemic corruption and cronyism. They want to dismantle the entire ruling elite that has entrenched for decades.
Algerians in large numbers rallied outside the General Workers’ Union in the capital Algiers on Wednesday, clutching Algerians flags and shouting slogans against the system to mark May Day. Police prevented them from joining other protesters gathered outside the city’s iconic post office.
Salah on Tuesday reiterated demonstrators appeal for interim leader Abdelkader Bensalah, the former upper house speaker, and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui to step down. In a speech, he said the upcoming polls amount to “the ideal solution to end the crisis.” Notably, Salah was the one helped push out Bouteflika after having him declared unfit for office.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) party on Wednesday called on protesters and opposition parties to pursue dialogue to end the crisis. The party reportedly elected 50-year-old businessman, Mohamed Djemai, as the new party head on Tuesday.
“We hail the army’s leadership for its harmony with the people,” said Djemai in televised comments. “Dialogue is the only way to get out of this situation.”
