Maghreb Edition

Algeria: Mourad Medelci, Constitutional Council Chief and ally of the President, dies of illeness

Posted On 30 January 2019

Number of times this article was read : 227

The president of the Constitutional Council of Algeria, Mourad Medelci, 76, died early on 28 January after battling illness. As head of the Constitutional Council, which monitors and supervises presidential elections, Medelci had a central role in ensuring smooth process but he was considered as a staunch ally of President Bouteflika.

A native of the western region of Tlemcen [like the president], he had served as the Constitutional Council’s president since 2013. According to inside sources, the next President of the CC will be appointed before the elections.

The death of Medelci is happening in peak pre-election period with up to 150 people considering a run for the presidential post, in a poll scheduled for April 18. The most significant being those of the retired general Ali Ghediri, former head of Government Ali Benflis and the leader of the Islamist party (MSP) Abderrezak Makri. The candidacy of president Bouteflika for a fifth term is strongly supported by the so-called allegiance (FLN, RND including), majority parliamentary party, who called it “to continue” his work. The position of Chairman of the Constitutional Council is critical, since he is the only government official who can impose section 102 of the Constitution in the event the head of state is incapacitated and unfit to govern. According to the law, the head of State has a maximum period of fifteen days to designate a new president of the Constitutional Council.

Below is Medelci’s profile.

 

Mourad Medelci (: مراد مدلسي; 30 April 1943 – 28 January 2019) was an Algerian politician who served in the government of Algeria as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2013. He was President of the Constitutional Council of Algeria from 2013 until his death in 2019.

Early life

[]

Born in on 30 April 1943, Medelci studied at the , receiving his bachelor's degree in 1966 and master's degree in 1968. From 1970 to 1980 he worked in the private sector before entering public service as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Trade in 1980. He was married with five children.

Political career

[]

Medelci was Minister of Trade from 1988 to 1989 and Deputy Minister for the Budget from 1990 to 1991. He was again Minister of Trade from 1999 to 2001, then from 2001 to 2002. From 2002 to May 2005 he was Adviser to the President, . In May 2005 he became again, serving in that position until he became Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 4 June 2007.

After serving more than six years as Foreign Minister, Medelci was replaced by in the government named on 11 September 2013. President Bouteflika instead appointed Medelci as President of the Constitutional Council on 15 September 2013. Medelci replaced , who had been appointed to the government as Minister of the Interior.

Death

[]

Medelci was very unwell in January 2019, he was hospitalised in Paris before being brought back to Algiers in the last week of January. By 27 January, he was incapable of carrying out his role of president of the Constitutional Council just as it was preparing to oversee the . Medelci died at approximately 1:30am on 28 January in Algiers. He was buried the same day in Ben Aknoun cemetery. The constitutional council, led by the vice-president will meet to discuss the situation.

[]
[]
    The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
    .

    Most Recent Stories from the Region

    Niger Moves Uranium From SOMAÏR Mine Despite Arbitration Ruling

    Niger’s military authorities have authorized the removal and transport of uranium from the SOMAÏR mine at Arlit without the involvement of longtime operator Orano, prompting the French nuclear group to denounce the shipment as illegal and in breach of a September 2025 World Bank–linked arbitration ruling. While Niamey signals plans to sell the stock on the open market as an assertion of resource sovereignty, the move raises legal, safety, and security concerns as uranium travels by road through conflict‑affected Sahel corridors.

    Benin Soldiers Mount Brief Coup Attempt

    In the span of a few hours on December 7, a small group of soldiers in Benin, West Africa, moved from night‑time attacks on senior officers’ homes to a televized announcement claiming they had removed President Patrice Talon and suspended the constitution. Forces loyal to the government swiftly retook the national broadcaster and key positions in Cotonou, and authorities now say the coup attempt has been defeated even as some officers remain missing and questions about the mutineers’ support network persist.

    Written by The North Africa Journal

    The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.