Algerian opposition holds second conference to discuss political change

Algerian opposition groups held the second symposium to discuss political change in the country yesterday.

The first symposium was held in 2014 and resulted in the ratification of the Mazafran platform for democratic transition.

The Algerian News Agency reported that a number of guests and who had participated in the first symposium did not attend the second including representatives of the Social Forces Front and the head of the Rally for Culture and Democracy.

The two former prime ministers, Mouloud Hamrouche and Sid Ahmed Ghozali, also did not attend this year’s symposium.

Meanwhile, the symposium was attended by a delegation from Rachad opposition movement for the first time.

Rachad co-founder and former Algerian diplomat, Mohamed Larbi Zitout, told Quds Press that the movement’s participation does not mean that it adheres to the Mazafran platform.

“We have attended in order to demand the opposition raise its ceiling of demands in the face of the regime and to demand radical change,” he said.

“Rachad does not want to join the recognised opposition because some of its parties work with the regime devices which Rachad demands radically change.”