Algiers — Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika returned home on Tuesday (July 16th) from Paris after a stay of almost three months in hospital, AFP reported.
The president's office confirmed the information by releasing a statement an hour after Bouteflika landed. The statement said that the president had returned "after completing the period of treatment and rehabilitation", but also confirmed that the president would "continue a period of rest and rehabilitation".
After the president's hospital plane touched down discreetly at Boufarik military airport, he was met by a small welcoming party made up of the prime minister, the speakers of both chambers of Parliament, the chairman of the Constitutional Council and the chief of staff of the army. It was a far cry from the usual welcoming ceremonies that used to be held for President Bouteflika.
Two hours after he got off the plane, the first pictures of him were broadcast on public television. They showed a greatly weakened president sitting in a wheelchair in the VIP lounge at Boufarik airport and showing the effects of his stroke.
The return of the 76-year-old Bouteflika ends a period of rumour and speculation, but also leaves the door wide open for someone to succeed him.
On the streets of Algiers, his return was greeted with indifference if not compassion for a sick elderly man. Citizens interviewed by Magharebia were far more concerned about their lives and futures.
"Oh, he's back! What next?" joked Kamel Samrani, an electronics engineer, who feels that "the president has been ill since 2005. We're used to living without him, so whether he's here or in Paris, it makes no difference."
Rym Hendel, a teacher, felt sorry for the sick president: "I saw him on TV and felt sad." But she also feels that "it's time for him to step down with dignity. He can't govern any more, that's obvious."
Politicians' reactions have been equally mixed.
The Workers' Party commented that "the Algerian people expect him to take important economic and social decisions and measures, and for that to happen, people know that he needs to fully regain his strength."
Abdellah Djaballah, the president of El Adala, wants more details about the president's condition.
"First of all, we need to know if President Bouteflika is well. If he is, we can expect many things from him," he said, adding that if not, "the president's return will have no political impact on the country."
With nine months to go before the next presidential election, many in the press are speculating about Bouteflika's political fate. Writing for Tout sur l'Algérie, Samir Allam opined that Algerians were weary of the status quo and did not wish to see a fourth term for the ailing president.
"He has one final job to do: to try to lead Algeria towards a peaceful transition and prevent the country from losing another 15 or 20 years for nothing," Allam editorialised.
Hamid Ghomrassa, who writes for El Khabar, ventured on Facebook that the constitutional article about medical incapacity could be invoked or the president could resign.
But that view was not shared by the whole of the profession. MBC journalist Ahmed Harzallah said that "neither of these two things will happen. Unless he dies before April 2014, he will remain in post."
Comments Post a comment
US Department of Energy revises upward Algeria shale gas reserve estimates
WASHINGTON- US Department of Energy has revised upward its estimates of the technically recoverable shale gas resources in Algeria, which are estimated currently at 19,800 billion cubic meters milliards de m3 against 6,440 billion cubic meters in 2011, i.e. up threefold. In its updated report on the shale gas and oil resources in 42 countries, the US Department of State presents a comprehensive technical and geological survey as well as maps on the unconventional hydrocarbons resources in Algeria in about thirty pages. With the new estimates, Algeria ranks third, behind China with recoverable shale gas reserves of 31,220 billion cubic meters with and income revenue of 3. 8 Trillion US Dollars Drawn up in collaboration with the US Advanced Resources International (ARI), the report states that Algeria has eight basins with shale formations, namely the basins of Mouydir, Ahanet, Berkine, Ghadames, Timimoun, Reggane, Tindouf and Hassi Mounir. The report said that the national hydrocarbons company SONATRACH has undertaken a "comprehensive effort" to define the size and quality of its shale gas and oil resources, and to establish a data base on the main shale basins of Algeria. In this regard, the report said that the Algerian oil group plans "to drill a series of pilot wells to test the productivity of the high priority basins, targeting shale formations with specific technical criteria and at moderate depths (<3,000 m)." Many giant Oil companies are already in discussion the Algerian Government to enter for bidding in the Algerian Market including Total, Exxon, Repsol, CNPC, Oxy, Marathon, KOC, Petro Canada, Sasol, Chevron, Texaco, Shell, and ARCO. As all the Infrastructures network are in place in Algeria to canalize the Gas from South to North of Algeria (Skikda, Arzew, Bougie, Algiers, Annaba). But, we still what the Government of Algeria will do for the best of his people with such income and the real economic development of Algeria.
Top 5 reasons to attend Algeria Future Energy! Algeria Future Energy brings together the top representatives of the Algerian energy sector including Algeria’s Minister of Energy & Mines, top level management from Sonatrach and Sonelgaz and all the key stakeholders in the Algerian energy industry to explore strategies to maximise current and future opportunities within the upstream oil and gas sector, unconventionals and renewables.
Five key reasons to attend:
1. Learn how H.E. Youcef Yousfi, Algerian Minister of Energy & Mines is working to create a stable environment for investors to ensure the success of Algeria’s energy future 2. Understand Sonatrach’s vision and strategic plan to drive forward the hydrocarbons industry and maximise the potential of conventional and unconventional resources in Algeria – address to be delivered by Abdelhamid Zerguine, Chief Executive Officer, Sonatrach 3. Hear first-hand from Sonelgaz’s Chief Executive Officer, Noureddine Boutarfa about the latest development plans for renewable energy and pioneering a new era in Algeria’s energy future 4. Network with key operators such as Shell, GDF Suez, Anadarko, GE Oil & Gas, Repsol, Total and Talisman to name just a few 5. Discover the challenges and opportunities for developing shale gas in Algeria at the Halliburton led workshop on Tuesday 06 November
Don’t miss out on the exciting investment opportunities! Click here to book your place: http://algeria-future-energy.com/book-your-place/
Algeria is set to be a key market for growth in oil and gas, unconventionals and renewables, as Sonatrach, Sonelgaz, and the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mines push forward with an ambitious plan of increased expenditure on hydrocarbons energy exploration and production and development of the renewables sector.
Click here to book your place : http://algeria-future-energy.com/book-your-place/
Algeria Future Energy: Discover The Investment Opportunities:
• 600 trillion cubic feet of recoverable shale gas reserves estimated to beheld in Algeria, according to preliminary studies • Algeria to offer fiscal incentives to encourage foreign companies to invest in development of unconventional resources • Sonatrach plans to boost investment to $80bn over the next 5 years • Algeria plans to increase power production capacity to 19,000 megawatts under a five-year plan • A target of 40% of electricity produced from solar and wind energies by 2030 has been set as an objective by the Algerian Ministry of Energy & Mines
Don’t miss out on the exciting investment opportunities!
Click here to book your place: http://algeria-future-energy.com/book-your-place/ REE Must-Read Interview
Nordine Ait-Laoussine, President of Nalcosa SA and former Algerian Minister of Energy & Mines provides a must-read insight into the current energy market in Algeria and its future prospects.
Click here to download the full interview: http://algeria-future-energy.com/algeria-interview-form/