Prominent Algerian politicians and intellectuals expressed outcry as the Algerian regime prepares a fifth term for ailing Algerian President Bouteflika who is confined to a wheelchair for years and is unable to speak intelligibly. A letter has been issued calling on Bouteflika to refrain from running for a fifth term in order to enable Algeria to “open a new chapter”. Despite these facts, his henchmen continue to campaign for his fifth term. Therefore, they maintain the ailing 80-year old President as a time buying measure in a sign that bodes ill for the country’s future. Regime opacity and the secrecy shrouding the successor to Bouteflika have also been hampering Algeria from carrying out economic reforms to wean their economy from dependence on hydrocarbons.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 28, 2018 01:41 UTC