He said he would not seek re-election but would remain in charge while a revised constitution is drafted. The long-time president has ruled the gas-oil rich country for 20 years. Shortly after the President’s announcement, the Arabic hashtag ‘leave means leave’ began trending on Twitter. They are rejecting their country’s political system dominated for nearly 60 years by the veterans of the independence war against France. What began as protests against president Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term has quickly turned into a popular opposition to the Algerian regime which started showing some cracks.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 13, 2019 15:56 UTC