On the subject of the current protests, Makan pointed out that if the president is reelected, many might believe that the results were manipulated. “Bouteflika is trying to gain the people’s support” through Sunday’s letter, he said. Ali al-Hamad, an Egyptian political analyst, told The Media Line that Arab leaders often come to believe that their judgment is supreme. “His determination triggers questions: Who is he protecting by remaining president?”Sunday was the last day people could register to run in the April 18 presidential vote. A number of declared candidates have withdrawn from the race in protest of Bouteflika’s decision to run, including Ali Benflis, a respected human rights advocate and former prime minister.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 05, 2019 14:37 UTC