After the publication of the first three volumes in 2005, 2008 then in 2013, now the former Minister of Foreign Affairs (1982-1988), Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi, publishes the fourth part of his memoirs, entitled “Memoirs of an Algerian – Volume 4: Fears and hopes (1988-2019)”.
Indeed, this week marks the appearance of the fourth volume of the memoirs of the Algerian writer and politician, Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi, in Kasbah Editions. The native of Sétif, now 91 years old, entitled this new volume: “Memoirs of an Algerian – Volume 4: Fears and hopes (1988-2019)”.
Thus, this new work by former Minister Taleb Ibrahimi retraces the events of a crucial episode in the history of our Algeria as he experienced them. Moreover, he completes the three previous volumes of his memoirs, entitled: “Volume 1: Dreams and Trials (1932-1965)”, “Volume 2: The passion to build (1965-1978)” and “Volume 3: An Unfinished Design (1979-1988)”. Published, respectively, in 2005, 2008 and 2013 in the Casbah Editions.
Taleb Ibrahimi harshly criticizes Bouteflika and his system
In this new part of his memoirs, the son of Mohamed Bachir Ibrahimi pointed to the two decades of ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. According to him, “Bouteflika’s reign has resulted in a heavy liability, leaving deep wounds, the most serious of which is corruption by its magnitude and the extent of its devastating effects”.
Referring to the 1999 elections, Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi did not fail to recall his withdrawal, as well as that of the other candidates, “leaving the candidate for power on stage”. “The withdrawal of candidates has resulted in a regime that is legal, but without legitimacy and therefore unable to respond successfully to the demands of reconciliation and change”, he argued.
According to him, the first term of the deposed President was “chaotic” and that “after four years of presidency, in 2004, the situation in Algeria had worsened”. Moreover, he did not fail to underline the fact that “during this mandate, Bouteflika had never gone to Parliament”.
“Let those who bet on Bouteflika therefore learn the lessons of their obvious failure, and let them give voice to the people so that our country can finally acquire a legitimate regime, freely chosen by the sovereign people”, wrote Taleb Ibrahimi again.
Thus, the author of “Memoirs of an Algerian” went on to discuss the 2004 presidential elections, noting that “Algeria had experienced the longest electoral campaign in its history”, which marked Bouteflika’s re-election.
3rd and 4th term of Bouteflika: Taleb Ibrahimi denounces corruption
In this new volume of these memoirs, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs considered “the 2008 Constitution as a turning point in the establishment of an autocratic regime that the deposed President had established, in particular after the modification allowing him to stand for a third term.
According to him, the same is true for the fourth term of 2014, which “constituted a denial of the republican character of our country”. Moreover, Taleb Ibrahim considered that “the reforms of the late former President Bouteflika were useless”, noting that “he had refused the invitation sent to him to take part in the consultations launched for the amendment of the Constitution “.
In addition, the son of Bachir Ibrahimi revealed some figures relating to corruption in Algeria under the reign of Bouteflika. Indeed, he said that “this corruption had cost colossal losses to the Public Treasury, amounting to nearly 78 billion dollars”. Adding that Algeria was among the most corrupt countries in the world,” according to the International Transparency Organization.
In addition, in the last chapter of this fourth volume of his memoirs, the native author of Sétif did not fail to evoke the popular movement Hirak of 2019. Affirming that “it is the Hirak which put an end to the reign of Bouteflika, by frustrating his plan to run for a fifth term”.
In the same vein, it should be recalled that in 2020, President Tebboune visited Taleb Ibrahimi to inquire about his state of health. During this meeting, the former minister had “presented his vision of the future within the framework of the consolidation of national unity for the construction of a solid internal front and the protection of the national identity and the values and constants of the Nation”, had indicated a press release from the Presidency.
