Algeria’s parliament today named Senate leader Abdelkader Bensalah as interim president, one week after Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned. Under the Algerian Constitution, the head of the upper house of parliament, a Bouteflika ally, will serve in the post for a maximum of 90 days while a new election is organized. Protesters who forced Bouteflika out after weeks of street demonstrations however continue to demand a comprehensive political overhaul. Read More
Mohammed Issam Laaroussi writes: In the absence of any current form of Maghreb integration, and in light of the growing needs and concerns of the populations in the region regarding security, stability, and the opportunity to live a life with dignity, the question of reviving the Arab Maghreb Union will always remain an imperative issue. If a revival was accomplished, this process would force political regimes to cooperate, first in order to achieve stability and security, and secondly, to keep pace with changes in societal values that require reform and which are rejecting ready-made, top-down policies currently supplied by governments. – Washington Institute
Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika submitted his resignation on Tuesday in a televised ceremony. The head of the upper house of parliament, Bouteflika ally Abdelkader Bensalah, will act as interim leader for a maximum of 90 days while a new election is organized. The ailing 82-year-old president had been facing mounting pressure to step down after his bid for a fifth term sparked six weeks of protests. Bouteflika’s resignation comes after the army called for his removal from office on the grounds that he is unfit to rule due to his deteriorating health. Read More
algeria’s_bouteflika_is_on_his_way_out._here’s_what’s_next._–_foreign_policy.pdf |
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will resign before the end of his mandate on April 28, the presidency announced Monday, adding that the 82-year-old would take “steps to ensure state institutions continue to function during the transition period." The decision follows weeks of protests against the ailing leader's bid for a fifth term after two decades in power.
The announcement comes as Algeria has banned several businessmen accused of corruption from leaving the country, Ennahar TV reports. Authorities seized the passports of seven men including Ali Haddad, who is close to the president. Haddad was arrested on Sunday on his way to Tunisia. Read More
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika named a new caretaker government led by Noureddine Bedoui as prime minister on Sunday amid reports that he will step down this week amid nationwide protests to end his two-deacde-long rule. Local TV channels reported that the ailing 82-year-old president could resign as early as Tuesday. On Saturday, the Algerian army renewed its call for Bouteflika to be removed from office on the grounds that he is unfit to rule due to his deteriorating health. Read More
kamel_daoud__algeria’s_post-colonial_era_is_over_-_the_atlantic.pdf |
Algeria’s military on Monday called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s removal from office by having him deemed unfit to rule due to his deteriorating health. The army’s chief of staff, Gen. Ahmed Gaed Salah, said such a move is “the only guarantee for political stability.” Over the past several weeks, Algerians have held mass protests against the two-decade rule of the ailing 82-year-old president, who last addressed the country in 2013. Under Article 102 of the Algerian Constitution, the country's Constitutional Council would formally declare Bouteflika unfit for office, a decision that would require approval from parliament. Read More
- Algerian military and political leaders turned against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in a bid to maintain power and pacify protesters as demonstrations enter a second month.
- Read and see the Salafi-jihadi groups in West Africa.
Algeria's army chief has called on President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be declared unfit, paving the way for a caretaker president. But protesters argue the military must hand power to the people.