Rather, Mr Bouteflika's departure appears to be only the start of a struggle whose ultimate denouement is far from certain. A circle of Mr Bouteflika's allies - influential lawmakers, relatives and business executives known as the "pouvoir" or power - remain in control of the levers of the nation. Others carried posters emblazoned with images of officials in Mr Bouteflika's government. Mr Bouteflika's political life began to unravel when General Ahmed Gaid Salah, the army chief of staff, urged lawmakers to deploy constitutional measures to declare the president unfit for office. Last Tuesday, Mr Gaid Salah bluntly demanded that Mr Bouteflika vacate the presidency.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 06, 2019 21:00 UTC