Algerian president makes rare public appearance

For the first time in a number of years, Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika appeared in public for more than a fleeting moment on Wednesday as he recited prayers for the martyrs who fell during the revolution against the French occupation, Anadolu has reported. The president has been suffering major health problems since 2013, although his public appearances more or less stopped even before then due to ill-health.

Bouteflika appeared on TV along with senior state officials. The president addressed the people of Algeria on the occasion of Independence Day and reviewed his four terms in office, starting from 1999. He also called for Paris to review its reading of its colonial history in Algeria between 1830 and 1962.

In 2014 he was seen entering a polling station during the presidential election, which he won for a fourth time, with 81 per cent of the votes. The last time Bouteflika appeared in public was when he attended a meeting of the ministerial council on 28 June last year. That is when he approved the programme of the then new government led by Abdel Majeed Tabboun.

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A parade held during the 62nd anniversary of Algerian war of independence in Algiers, Algeria on November 1, 2016 [Bechir Ramzy/Anadolu]