Algeria’s main Islamist opposition party Wednesday said incumbent President proposed by the ruling coalition to run for April Presidential elections for a fifth term in office will not be able to fulfil his duties due to his health condition. Movement for the Society of Peace (MSP) castigated the ruling coalition that it said has taken Abdelaziz Bouteflika hostage. The 81-year leader, in power since 1999, was chosen by the ruling coalition to run for April 18 elections, for a fifth term. “Bouteflika is not able to continue to govern because of the nature of his illness,” the Islamist party said in a statement. Over 100 presidential hopefuls including the MSP’s leader Abderrazak Makri have expressed their plans to enter the presidential race.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 07, 2019 13:52 UTC