Algeria’s Military chief, General Ahmed Gaid Salah, has regarded those who oppose the military as enemies of the country, as the country’s protest movement persistently demand the removal of the ruling elite that has been in power for years.
“Those who are knowingly trying to circumvent… terms of the constitution, do they realise what it means to suppress all state institutions?” he asked in a speech.
According to Gaid Salah, a constitutional void would amount to “the destruction of the foundations of the Algerian national state”.
Related: Students in Algeria protest against army chief
“It is unthinkable to proceed in the name of the people with the destruction of the achievements of the Algerian people, that is to say… the constitution.’’
Demonstrations similar to the ones that led to the removal of Bouteflika have carried on, with protesters demanding an end to the current regime and the establishment of independent institutions.
An election which was previously planned for July 4 was later postponed by authorities, without a new date being announced.
Related: Presidential elections cannot hold July 4, Algeria’s constitutional council says
On Monday, Algeria’s top businessman Ali Haddad, who was a key supporter of Bouteflika, was jailed for six months for possessing two passports, in the first conviction in a string of corruption probes.
Last week, two former prime ministers were detained by a judge.
Related: Key Bouteflika ally, Ali Haddad jailed for six months in Algeria
The judiciary must “bring to justice all the corrupt regardless of their function or their social rank”, Gaid Salah said.
“The fight against corruption knows no limit and no exception will be made to anyone… it’s time to clean up our country,” he added.
