Algiers, Algeria (CNN) Major protests are expected to rage throughout Algeria on Sunday, as demonstrators anticipate confirmation that the country's ailing and absent president Abdelaziz Bouteflika will run for a fifth term in office. But action is expected to escalate ahead of the Sunday evening deadline for Bouteflika -- who suffered a stroke in 2013 and has rarely been seen in public since -- to formally declare his candidacy. It is widely believed that the President is largely incapacitated, leaving the reins of the country in the hands of a military and civilian elite. Bouteflika has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. He nonetheless seemed to step up preparations for another run by replacing his long-time campaign manager on Saturday, according to state news agency Algérie Presse Service (APS).

Source: CNN March 03, 2019 12:11 UTC