Under immense pressure driven by the people of Algeria, the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN)’s coalition ally and the country’s army, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika finally resigned on Tuesday.
Algerians have been protesting against his 20-year rule since February after Bouteflika announced he would be standing for a fifth term in an election scheduled for April 18. Although, he reversed his decision to re-run for election, he announced he would step down only after the formation of a new government.
The 82-year-old ailing leader announced he was stepping down with immediate effect in a letter published by state-run APS news agency.
“My intention … is to contribute to calming down the souls and minds of the citizens so that they can collectively take Algeria to the better future they aspire to,” Bouteflika’s letter to the president of the Constitutional Council read.
“I have made this decision to avoid and prevent the arguments which distort, unfortunately, the current situation, and avoid its turning into serious skirmishes, to ensure the protection of persons and property,” he added.
According to BBC, the resignation was followed by huge celebrations in the city, with people shouting, waving the national flag in front of the city’s central post office.
Mr Bouteflika rarely made public appearances ever since he suffered a stroke six years ago. However, he made a rare appearance on state TV to relinquish power hours after military chief Lt Gen Ahmed Gaed Salah called on him to leave office immediately. The army chief of staff demanded immediate action to declare him unfit for office under the constitution. He went on to propose to invoke a constitutional clause to remove him. He cited Article 102 of the constitution, under which a president can be removed if found unfit to rule
The end of Bouteflika’s 20-year reign marked a new victory for the people of Algeria, but what will happen next currently remains unclear.
