Algeria’s president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune signed the country’s new constitution into law several weeks after it was approved.
It could be recalled that on November 2020, the country held a constitutional referendum for a revised constitution following the announcement by the former president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika of his candidacy for a fifth term as the president of Algeria. His intention led to the protest that forced him to step down in the election that brought Tebboune to power. The election made history as the lowest turnout in a presidential election since its independence in 1962.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune returned to Algeria weeks after being hospitalized in Germany when several people in his government tested positive for COVID-19. He signed the constitution, which he tagged ‘cornerstone of the new Algeria’. It was basically to satisfy the demands of members of Hirak street protest movement.
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The constitution which had the backing of less than 15% of the electorate in a referendum in November had various changes. Such changes are on the presidential term limits, new powers for the parliament and the judiciary as well as a clause to let the army intervene outside the borders of Algeria.
The president also approved Algeria’s 2021 budget. He also made known the country’s plan to launch a vaccination campaign against coronavirus pandemic with the Sputnik V vaccine produced by Russia. However, the certainty of the freedom enshrined in the new constitution has been pointed out by critics and experts.
Faith Omo Ohioze
