The Algerian army, the kingmaker in the Algerian political order, has finally stated the obvious by declaring “Bouteflika unfit to lead,” four weeks after millions of Algerians started pouring to the street putting pressure for the infirm President to step down. He called for the activation of article 102 of the constitution that declares the presidency vacant if the incumbent is too ill to exercise his functions, then ask parliament to declare him unfit. The move further infuriated protesters who have been taking to the streets putting pressure for a regime change. Bouteflika, 82, has been in power for twenty years but he disappeared from public life since running a stroke in 2013, which confined him to a wheelchair. During his rule, Algeria failed to lift itself from utter dependence on oil and gas revenues accounting for 95% of exports.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 26, 2019 21:22 UTC