For those who have been questioning the President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s (78 years old) state of health, his weariness after 5 years of rule; for those who were concerned about the possibility of him not running in the anticipated September 2024 election – the rumor circulating – the Head of State responded with a resplendent demeanor and high spirits in a televised interview. “Amy Tebboune” (meaning Uncle Tebboune), the journalist slipped to start. And so began a very pleasant interview, initiated by the President’s genuinely sincere laughter. His fans and supporters will be delighted, while his enemies may become disheartened…
“Indeed, I will ask you a question about this magical phrase. Every time an Algerian feels aggrieved, feels unwell, they use this expression ‘Amy Tebboune’ which transcends all political barriers. Mr. President, how do you experience this expression?” the journalist asked.
The Algerian Head of State, with evident joy, replied that he experiences it “very sentimentally. I have had a deep affection for the youth for a long time. They are the future. Especially in this relationship, there is respect, a paternal sentiment. We have arrived at a relationship between a paternal uncle and his nephews. Algeria is gradually returning to its roots. May God protect our youth,” said Tebboune.
“In my electoral program, I insisted on the youth and I said they are the future. There are people who mock me, saying an old man represents the youth. I told them that I commit to giving you power and it is your right. Because there are people who cling like spiders, for a long time, and I said NO, the torch must be passed to the youth,” declared the President of the Republic.
“The youth ask for nothing, they just want to serve the nation with their knowledge and skills, and they tell us we don’t need jobs handed to us on a silver platter, we will create them for ourselves and for others. It’s these young people who have made the country a leader in Africa in startups. Business incubators even exist in universities. And as soon as a young person has their doctorate, they already have a well-crafted project ready to be realized,” he added.
“We have moved away from old mental patterns, we are progressing. May the Lord protect the youth and long live Algeria, may it reach new heights,” concluded Tebboune, leaving the question of his intentions for the presidential election wide open. But the tone of his speech indicates that he is not finished (although one could be mistaken, he could provoke a political earthquake), that he has work to do: to hand over the keys of the country to the youth.
