Another Lebanon?
Algeria’s president seeks to extend his term in power beyond that allowed in the constitution, raising eyebrows, writes Nosreddine Qassem
Algerian President Abdul-Aziz Bouteflika formally announced his intention to amend the Algerian constitution to allow him to be president for a third term. According to Article 74 of the constitution endorsed in 1996, the presidential term is renewable only once. President Bouteflika submitted his amendments to parliament in anticipation of introducing more substantial amendments during a third term in office. It is expected that parliament will consider the amendment over the next two weeks.
It was after a speech delivered before judges at the inaugural session of the judiciary year that Bouteflika began addressing the nation. He formally announced the constitutional amendment that would be submitted to parliament instead of to a public poll, contrary to what he has repeatedly promised. According to Bouteflika, the shortcut was "due to the urgent and current challenges". The president did not exclude a public poll on more extensive amendments.
To the raised eyebrows of some, Bouteflika stressed that his amendments are aimed to "empower the people to practise their legal right in selecting whoever determines their fate and renew trust with full sovereignty". It is not anyone’s right, he added, "to restrict people’s freedom of expression. The relation between the elected ruler and the voter is a relation of mutual deep trust that has to be based on free and full conviction."
Proponents of the current constitution see Article 74 as a democratic gain in that it protects the homeland against tyranny and the lifetime rule of effective dictators. Bouteflika responded by saying that, "real rotation of power is the fruit of free choice as determined by the people themselves. In this regard, the people must be consulted using democratic and transparent free multi-candidate elections. Decision-making authority lies solely in the people’s hand."
The president’s announcement came as a surprise, but not to all. Since first elected, Bouteflika has appeared at times keen to extend the authorities of the presidency. Conflicts erupted, however, with groups that had cause to oppose the centralisation of power in Bouteflika’s hands. Repeatedly taken off the agenda, the long delay of the announcement created an assumption that the president might have changed his mind about the amendment. Recently he referred to "intensive commitments and accumulated priorities" as well as "multiple due rights" that prevented him pushing forward with his original plans to amend the constitution. He added: "major attention was focussed on anti-terrorism efforts, civil harmony and national reconciliation policy. Thus, the priority was fully given to public concerns and problems."
Parties supportive of the president, known as the Presidential Coalition comprising the Liberation Front Party, the National Democratic Gathering and the Peace Society Movement all welcomed the president’s decision, regarding it as strengthening democracy and allowing the people to choose whoever they want to be their leader. Opposition parties, topped by the Socialist Power Front (SPF), retorted that, "the president is amending the constitution to enable himself to run for presidential election, nothing more." The secretary-general of the SPF went as far as addressing the president directly, saying: "What you are doing is a serious threat. Law should dominate over all, and you are tailoring your own constitution according to your own ambition."
Activists and human rights organisations also have reservations on the president’s proposal, noting "the absence of an open serious discussion around [such] a crucial issue as amending the country’s basic law". Some stressed that multiple constitutional amendments diminish "state institutions and strip their legality", opening the way to "continuous violations of rights, freedoms and gained democracy". At the international level, Washington was the only capital that responded publicly. US State Department Spokesperson Sean McCormack deemed the issue an internal affair for Algeria and its people. Nonetheless, he called for complying with the principles of democracy, transparency and respecting the will of the people.
Professor rashid bhika honoured
The South African Institute for Advancement (SAIA) held its Second Annual Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards at a gala event in Cape Town on Wednesday 5th November 2008.
The Inyathelo Award for Lifetime Philanthropy was awarded to Pretoria-born Professor Rashid Bhika Of the Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb. Prof. Bhika was the founder and CEO of BeTabs, the largest independent pharmaceutical company in South Africa. The Ibn Institute of Tibb is a non profit organisation and founded by the Bhika Family Trust.
His major commitment is to supporting and providing affordable healthcare in South Africa. His particular expertise is in the alternative approaches to primary healthcare. He has established clinics in Langa and Manenburg in the Western Cape. These clinics also provide practical training for the University of the Western Cape’s UNANI-TIBB students. In July of 2008 he launched a R1 million community clinic at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Abused Women and Children.
Awards were presented to 8 remarkable South Africans for their contribution towards building South Africa’s young democracy and to ensure sustainable social development. The SAIA is supported by Standard Bank and its patrons include Dr. Mamphela Ramphele and Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa. Mr. Raymond Ackerman of Pick n Pay was the first recipient of this Award.
The Media Review Network congratulates and salutes Professor Bhika on his fine achievement.
Obama team no decisions on reversing bush orders
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s team cautioned on Monday he had not yet decided whether to reverse executive orders on topics such as stem cell research and oil drilling imposed by President George W. Bush.
Members of Obama’s transition team had said on Sunday that he would move swiftly once in office from Jan. 20 to strike down some of the Bush executive orders that Democrats have long battled.
"Across the board, whether it’s national security, the economy, the senior leadership that will manage health care, energy and the environment, I think he intends to move very quickly," Obama transition co-chairman John Podesta had said on "Fox News Sunday."
But Obama spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter issued a statement on Monday pledging that Obama would discuss any executive orders with both Democrats and Republicans as well as with nominees of his Cabinet, none of whom has been selected yet.
"President-elect Obama will honor the commitment he made during the campaign to review all executive orders, but this process has not yet begun and no decisions have been made," she said.
"The president-elect has pledged to run an open and inclusive government, so before he makes any decisions on potential executive or legislative actions, he will be conferring with congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle, as well as interested groups."
The statement, issued after Obama met Bush at the White House, reflected the cautious stance Obama is taking as he adapts to being president-elect and takes a fresh look at issues that have roiled U.S. politics for years.
New presidents typically issue a variety of executive orders shortly after taking office. These are orders that can be issued directly by the president and do not need approval by Congress.
Many Americans have long opposed Bush’s position banning the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell advocates are eagerly awaiting Obama’s rescinding of the order, while the Bush White House believes his firm stance led to breakthroughs on research of adult stem cells.
With the U.S. government about to open some 360,000 acres (nearly 145,700 hectares) of public land in Utah to oil and gas drilling, environmentalists are pressuring Obama to stop that from happening.
On the other hand, Obama pledged on the campaign trail to wean the United States from overseas oil and, under pressure from Republican opponent John McCain, had agreed to consider more offshore drilling.
Reuters