Algeria’s Brotherhood in all-out campaign against constitutional amendments

Muazz Mohamed

The Movement of Society for Peace, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Algeria, has stepped up criticism of a fresh package of constitutional amendments declared by the Algerian presidency on May 7.

The presidency said the amendments, which turn the Algerian political system into a semi-presidential one, are subject to debate.

Nevertheless, the movement’s criticism also aimed at Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, which reflects its frustration with the Algerian president and political developments in this North African state.

Justification

The Executive Office of the movement convened on May 8 to discuss the amendments. Movement Head Abderrazak Makri said the amendments do not fulfill the aspirations of the Algerian people.

The movement also issued a statement in which it accused Tebboune of failing in honoring the promises he made before becoming president.

The amendments do not adhere to the general objectives of Islamic law or the objectives of the Algerian national movement, the Movement of Society for Peace said in its statement.

It added that the amendments also trim the freedoms of Algerians, especially when it comes to the founding of organizations.

They also violate press freedoms, the movement said of the new constitutional amendments.

It said the amendments do not offer any guarantees for the fairness or integrity of future elections.

They include no penalties for those who will rig votes in the future, the movement said.

The movement called on Algerians to take political reform in their country seriously. It said it would take up the responsibility for lobbying for the required political changes.

Qatar and Turkey

Algerian activists view the criticism leveled by the movement against the constitutional amendments as an expression of its desperation with political developments in Algeria, especially with the amendments sabotaging Muslim Brotherhood plans to reach power.

The amendments will do without the political quota the movement has been getting, within a secret deal with the Algerian government, over the past two decades.

The Movement of Society for Peace, the activists said, is only angry at amendments that do not serve its political agenda.