Trust Us, Army Chief Urges Algeria as Presidential Vacuum Looms

(Bloomberg) -- Algeria’s top military commander urged the public to trust the army, a sign the institution that’s historically been a kingmaker in the OPEC member nation will stay center stage as fresh political uncertainty looms.

The army is aligned with “loyal, reformist and productive” Algerians who want the best for the North African nation, Ahmed Gaid Salah said Tuesday in remarks to military personnel aired by state media. It was his first speech since recently becoming the prime target of long-running protests that forced veteran President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation in April.

Salah’s remarks come as Algeria faces a looming vacancy at the top on July 9, when interim President Abdelkader Bensalah’s three-month term expires. Elections for a successor to Bouteflika, who led the country for two decades, have been canceled after few candidates registered and protesters demanded root-and-branch reform before any vote.

The “army’s loyalty to its people” inspires it “to extend its helping and supportive hand,” Salah said. The military has played a decisive role in Algeria’s politics since it won independence from France almost six decades ago.

To contact the reporter on this story: Souhail Karam in Rabat at skaram10@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, Michael Gunn, Karl Maier

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