Algerian president and candidate for re-election Abdelmajid Tebboune speaks after casting his ballot inside a polling station during the presidential elections, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. (AP Photo)
More than one hundred Algerian public figures have issued a strong appeal to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, calling for greater freedoms, equality, and justice across the country.
The statement, released on August 20 to mark the 69th anniversary of the historic Soummam Congress, was signed by opposition politicians, civil society leaders, and prominent intellectuals.
It calls for the release of political prisoners, including French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansa, detained over his political views, and demands the repeal of laws deemed restrictive of freedoms.
Signatories insist on the creation of an independent judiciary to ensure impartiality and fairness nationwide.
Their demands come amid continuing criticism of the central government and ongoing calls for reform that have persisted since the citizens’ movement of February 2019.
The appeal also reflects on the legacy of the Soummam Congress of 1956, which set out principles of independence, democratic governance, and social equity during Algeria’s liberation struggle. According to the statement, these promises remain only partially fulfilled, with political expression still curbed and public participation tightly controlled.
Among the highlighted priorities are gender equality and recognition of Algeria’s diverse cultural heritage, which signatories argue could strengthen democracy while respecting the country’s traditions.
“The country cannot move forward while laws continue to stifle freedoms and restrict citizen participation,” the text states, urging the government to pursue reforms that reflect the aspirations of its people.
The document calls for the establishment of a transparent and participatory political system rooted in social justice and equal treatment, regardless of gender, language, or belief. It underscores the enduring nature of democratic aspirations in Algeria and the tension between historical legacies and modern-day demands for reform.
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