Threat of protests over Algeria’s RND party purges

Algeria’s National Rally for Democracy celebrates its 16th anniversary this week Former Algerian Health Minister Yahia Kaidoum, leader of a reformist bloc within Algeria’s National Rally for Democracy (RND), has given the party’s Secretary-General Abdelkader Ben Saleh one week to remove politicians supporting predecessor Ahmed Ouihi.
RND sources have revealed the warning comes just one day before the party’s 16th anniversary, on February 21.
Kadouim’s reformist insist on the removal of “loyalist” politicians from the country’s second largest and most influential political bloc. Reformers have threatened to launch a wave of protests if their demands are not met.
Other sources have claimed Ben Saleh and Kaidoum have previously exchanged harsh words ahead of the party’s national conference.
The conference, slated for this May, is expected to focus on a range of contentious issues which have emerged since Ouihi’s shock resignation in January.
Ben Saleh meanwhile said that the RND’s 16th anniversary celebrations would be held in provincial offices rather than at a national convention, as is customary.