CAIRO-Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will resign by the end of April, his office announced in a statement Monday carried by the country’s state media, following weeks of massive street protests calling for the end of his two decades in power.
The president, the statement said, would resign before April 28 and would take measures “to ensure state institutions continue to function during the transition period.”
If Bouteflika carries out his promise, he would become the fifth Arab leader to be pushed out of office by populist pressure since the 2011 Arab Spring revolts, following the path of autocrats in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen. He is Algeria’s longest-serving head of state.
The announcement Monday came a week after Algeria’s powerful army chief, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, publicly urged that Bouteflika be declared unfit for office and called for his removal. Salah is considered one of the most influential power brokers in the country. In deciding to part ways with Bouteflika, Salah was the latest in a wave of allies who have abandoned him.
Tens of thousands of Algerians across the North African country have taken to the streets since early last month. The outpouring of anger was triggered by Bouteflika’s decision to seek a fifth term in office.
Under pressure, he dropped his bid for a fifth term and postponed elections scheduled for this month. But large street protests continued as many Algerians saw his move as an attempt to extend his fourth term and demanded his immediate resignation.
The ailing 82-year-old leader, who is wheel-chair bound and has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, has ruled since 1999.
Read more
Algeria’s powerful army chief calls for president to be declared unfit for office
Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/algerian-leader-to-resign-from-office-by-end-of-april-after-weeks-of-street-protests/2019/04/01/776ed2f8-549b-11e9-aa83-504f086bf5d6_story.html
2019-04-01 17:37:38Z
52780257255282
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar