Tebboune Vows to Implement Electoral Reforms, Separation of Powers Doctrine

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during a swearing-in ceremony in Algiers, Algeria (File photo: Reuters)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during a swearing-in ceremony in Algiers, Algeria (File photo: Reuters)
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Tebboune Vows to Implement Electoral Reforms, Separation of Powers Doctrine

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during a swearing-in ceremony in Algiers, Algeria (File photo: Reuters)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during a swearing-in ceremony in Algiers, Algeria (File photo: Reuters)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said the country's recent constitutional amendments aim to build the new republic on a strong basis and establish true democracy based on the separation of powers and the protection of rights and freedom of citizens.

This came in a letter sent by Tebboune and read by Minister Adviser to Communication and spokesman Belaid Mohand Oussaid at the opening of the International Forum of Lawyers on the legal and judicial protection of investment.

In his message, the president indicated that the new amendments will protect the country from corruption and authoritarian deviation and make the peaceful transfer of power a tangible reality.

Tebboune asserted that the constitutional amendment project will address the issue of separation and balance of powers, and the introduction of comprehensive reform in the justice system to ensure judiciary independence.

He also indicated that the amendment seeks to enhance mechanisms that prevent corruption and combat it permanently and continuously, so that “we can establish a sound environment from the scourge of corruption, incubating honest competition driven by a spirit of responsibility and patriotism, and fortified with morals and virtuous values.”

Meanwhile, the new Algerian government, which is facing a serious political and economic crisis, presented the outlines of its ‘plan of action’ aimed at economic recovery, affected by the drop in oil prices.

A statement issued after an extraordinary meeting, chaired by Tebboune, said that the action plan focuses on achieving “the economic renewal based on food security, energy transition and the digital economy.”

The government stressed the need for conducting a “deep review of the governance modes, elaborating new rules in order to successfully execute development policies and creating an interactive dynamic,” reported the Algerian News Agency.

Based on its action plan, the government seeks to set up a national investment map through the opening of new spaces dedicated to industrial land, particularly the Haut Plateaus and the South region.

The government's plan also includes reforming the electoral system, highly criticized by the opposition. The government will work to “guarantee freedom of assembly, peaceful demonstration, and endorse the media in the exercise of their activity.”

Meanwhile, the popular movement marched in various cities rejecting the new system and chanting slogans accusing the president of being one of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's men. They also criticized poor media coverage of the protests, blaming pressure from authorities.

The protesters condemned the country's judiciary, saying it submits to orders and dictations given over the phone to imprison demonstrators.

Hundreds took to the streets and squares of the capital determined to pressure the new authority to approve their demands, namely the release of dozens of detainees, some of whom are in pretrial detention, while others serve terms ranging between 6 and 18 months. Many demonstrators are also still waiting for their trial.

Demonstrators in the capital and the big cities in the east and west held pictures of the most famous political detainees, including journalist and activist Fodil Boumala, head of the Youth Action Rally Abdelwahab Farsaoui, and political activist Karim Tabbou.

Last week, Algiers court released prominent Hirak activist, Samir Belarbi, who was arrested on September 16 for “weakening the morale of the army”.

One of the activists’ lawyers, Abdelghani Badi, announced Friday that activist Islam Tabouche was arrested in Setif, east of the country.

Badi posted on his Facebook page that Tabouche contacted him a few days earlier about being subjected to security harassment.

The new authority faces sharp criticism on the issue of demonstrations and detainees, especially that Tebboune vowed on several occasions to put an end to harassment against protests. However, security forces continue to arrest demonstrators and ban protests.



Syrian Army Takes Control of Tishrin Dam from SDF

Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)
Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)
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Syrian Army Takes Control of Tishrin Dam from SDF

Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)
Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)

Syrian army troops have deployed near the Tishrin Dam in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province, setting up military positions in what appears to be a step toward assuming control of the facility from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Pro-government broadcaster Syria TV cited an official source on Monday as saying the military had entered the outskirts of the Tishrin Dam area and established military outposts in preparation for a handover of the strategic site.

The dam, located near the city of Manbij, has been under the control of the Kurdish-led SDF, which played a key role in the fight against ISIS in northern Syria with the backing of the US-led coalition.

Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement on March 10 aimed at integrating all civil and military institutions of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northern and northeastern Syria into the Syrian state.

Syrian authorities, the SDF, and Türkiye had reached an agreement, brokered by the United States, for the transfer of the Tishrin Dam to the Syrian government.

Under the deal, the military will deploy forces around the dam, while teams from Damascus have already begun maintenance and upgrading works on the facility.

The agreement aims to bring an end to the fighting that had erupted between Syrian factions loyal to Türkiye, which have integrated into the Syrian army, and the SDF. The clashes, which had persisted for over three months since December 12, have now subsided.

On Thursday, Türkiye’s Ministry of Defense announced that Ankara is closely monitoring the implementation of the agreement regarding the handover of the dam.

The deployment of Syrian forces around the dam comes amid reports of renewed tensions in the area, which had been relatively calm for nearly a month. Syria’s state-run Syria TV reported that the military had sent reinforcements to areas previously affected by clashes with the SDF.

Additionally, reports said the SDF and Syrian forces were on alert after Turkish drones launched an attack near the dam, following the death of a fighter from Türkiye-backed factions in the region. The situation continues to evolve as both sides remain on edge in the strategic area.