Algiers, Jan 19, 2019 – A retired Algerian general on Saturday became the first candidate to announce a run for president in April elections, as ailing incumbent Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s intentions remain unknown. Ali Ghediri, a former defence ministry personnel director, threw his hat into the ring after the North African country on Friday called the much anticipated election for April 18. Despite his advanced age and poor health, some of his supporters have called for him to stand for a fifth term. Uncertainty over whether Bouteflika will stand for re-election has frozen Algerian politics for months. Algerian politics is notoriously opaque and the winner of every multiparty presidential election has been pre-selected by a shadowy elite, beginning in 1995 with victory by retired general Liamine Zeroual.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 19, 2019 20:15 UTC