Presidential election in Algeria: Tebboune speaks of the “old spiders” that cling on, he will give power to young people

By;Souleymane Loum

To those who were wondering regarding the poor form of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (78 years old), about his weariness after 5 years of reign; to those who were anxious about the probability that he would not run in the early election of September 2024 – rumour has it – the head of state answered with resplendent form and high-flying verve in an interview television. “Amy Tebboune” (means Uncle Tebboune) told her the journalist to start. And off we go for a captivating interview, launched by the president’s heartfelt laughter. His fans and voters will be pleased, his enemies will be depressed…

“I’m going to ask you a question concerning this magic phrase. Every time the Algerian feels wronged feels bad, he employs the expression ‘Amy Tebboune’ which transcends all political barriers. Mr. President, how do you live with this expression? asked the journalist.

With obvious joy, the Algerian head of state replied that he saw it “very sentimentally. I have had a profound affection for young people for a long time. They are the future. Above all in this relationship, there is respect, a paternal feeling. We reached a relationship between a paternal uncle and his nephews. Algeria is slowly returning to its origins. May God keep our young people,” said Tebboune.

“In my electoral program, I insisted on young people and I said that they are the future. Some individuals make fun of me by saying an old man represents the young. I told them that I was dedicated to giving them power and it was their right. Because there are people who have been hanging on like spiders for a long time, and I said NO, we must give the torch to the youth,” proclaimed the President of the Republic.

“Young people don’t request anything, they just want to serve the homeland with their science and know-how, and they tell us we don’t need jobs handed out on a platter, we will make them for ourselves and others. It is these young people who have made the country a leader in Africa in startups. Business incubators even exist in universities. And as soon as he has his doctorate, the young person already has a project put together and ready to be carried out,” he added.

“We have moved away from old mental patterns, we are moving forward. May the Lord protect the young people and long live Algeria, may it reach new heights,” concluded Tebboune, leaving complete suspense over his intentions in the presidential election. But the tone of his speech indicates that he is not finished (but we could be wrong, he could cause a political earthquake), that he has a job to finish: Hand over the keys to the country to the young people.