Algerian public figures call on Bouteflika not to run for fifth term

President of Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika casts his ballot to elect members of the country’s 462-seat parliament in Algiers on May 4, 2017 [Bechir Ramzy/Anadolu Agency]

Fourteen Algerian figures have called on Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika in an open letter not to run for a fifth term.

“Time has come for the nation to recover its assets”, said the letter, which included among its signatories former Prime Minister, Ahmed Ahmed Benbitour.

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“At a time when evil forces are gathering and leading you towards the path of a fifth term, we are addressing you with respect and frankness to warn you of the grand mistake that you will make if you rejected again the voice of wisdom which addresses the conscience at times of fateful choices” the letter read.

The letter invited Bouteflika to listen to the voice of wisdom adding that “four terms were sufficient to complete the work as president, and achieve ambitions”.

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