By Hayam el Hadi
7 July 2013
Algiers — Algeria's celebration of its 51st anniversary of independence on Friday (July 5th) midst the absence of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and a multitude of political, social and economic challenges.
This was the first time for Bouteflika, who has been hospitalized in France since April 27th, to miss the event.
Still, flags were flying across Algeria. Music concerts, theatrical shows and sports activities were organised in all provinces and Algerians enjoyed big fireworks displays.
Citizens young and old celebrated the anniversary of independence in their own ways.
In family groups or with friends, many of them danced and sang patriotic songs. They all shared the hope for a bright future in Algeria.
"Every year, this occasion is an opportunity to take stock of what has been done and what still needs to be done," teacher Naima Mesbah told Magharebia. "Today, our country no longer faces the threat of terrorism. That comforts us and gives us hope for better days."
She added: "Now we need to take on the challenges of economic growth and social and political stability. If we succeed, we will be able to say that our country has well and truly come through the crisis."
Other celebrants in Algiers voiced similar concerns about the future.
"Today, Algeria seems to be at a crossroads," university researcher Mohamed Fellahi said. "We are a few months away from a presidential election that will be crucial. The context is a very special one. The question of who will succeed Bouteflika is being asked now more than ever before."
"We are keeping a very watchful eye on all of the agitation among politicians," he added. "This election will be crucial for the direction of the country."
For young Algerians, employment was the big issue.
"The most important thing today is for all of these young graduates to be able to find jobs," 24-year old Salima Akrouche said. "The fact that Algeria is a stable country is meaningless if, after a long university education, we can't aspire to a job corresponding to our training."
Indeed, unemployed laborers used the occasion of the anniversary to stage demonstrations in Ouargla last Thursday.
"We will go around the town before heading, as planned, to the headquarters of the province of Ouargla," National Committee for Protection of the Rights of the Unemployed (CNDDC) spokesman Tahar Belabes told Tout sur l'Algerie.
Earlier this week, similar protests were organized in Sidon, Djelfa, and El Oued.
Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201307082311.html.
7 July 2013
Algiers — Algeria's celebration of its 51st anniversary of independence on Friday (July 5th) midst the absence of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and a multitude of political, social and economic challenges.
This was the first time for Bouteflika, who has been hospitalized in France since April 27th, to miss the event.
Still, flags were flying across Algeria. Music concerts, theatrical shows and sports activities were organised in all provinces and Algerians enjoyed big fireworks displays.
Citizens young and old celebrated the anniversary of independence in their own ways.
In family groups or with friends, many of them danced and sang patriotic songs. They all shared the hope for a bright future in Algeria.
"Every year, this occasion is an opportunity to take stock of what has been done and what still needs to be done," teacher Naima Mesbah told Magharebia. "Today, our country no longer faces the threat of terrorism. That comforts us and gives us hope for better days."
She added: "Now we need to take on the challenges of economic growth and social and political stability. If we succeed, we will be able to say that our country has well and truly come through the crisis."
Other celebrants in Algiers voiced similar concerns about the future.
"Today, Algeria seems to be at a crossroads," university researcher Mohamed Fellahi said. "We are a few months away from a presidential election that will be crucial. The context is a very special one. The question of who will succeed Bouteflika is being asked now more than ever before."
"We are keeping a very watchful eye on all of the agitation among politicians," he added. "This election will be crucial for the direction of the country."
For young Algerians, employment was the big issue.
"The most important thing today is for all of these young graduates to be able to find jobs," 24-year old Salima Akrouche said. "The fact that Algeria is a stable country is meaningless if, after a long university education, we can't aspire to a job corresponding to our training."
Indeed, unemployed laborers used the occasion of the anniversary to stage demonstrations in Ouargla last Thursday.
"We will go around the town before heading, as planned, to the headquarters of the province of Ouargla," National Committee for Protection of the Rights of the Unemployed (CNDDC) spokesman Tahar Belabes told Tout sur l'Algerie.
Earlier this week, similar protests were organized in Sidon, Djelfa, and El Oued.
Source: allAfrica.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201307082311.html.
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