While ancient Algeria has known many empires and dynasties, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria has known only a few Presidents since its independence from France.
Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has served four terms as the Head of the State was forced to resign on Tuesday before he could seek his fifth term. The 82-year-old ailing leader served as Algeria’s President from 1999 until 2019, becoming the longest-serving head of the country with nearly 20 years in power.
The resignation of Bouteflika came amidst mass protests calling for his ouster – a move escalated by the army chief of staff’s order demanding immediate action to remove him from the office.
“There is no more room to waste time,” state news agency Algerian Press Service (APS) had quoted Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah as saying.
Salah’s call sought the application of article 102 of the constitution, which stipulates that a president can be removed from office if he is unable to execute his duties.
His message was carried by the El-Bilad TV network as he addressed top military officers. Political watchers hold that it was the main reason that Bouteflika was compelled to resign.
“The solution that must be adopted to end the crisis and answer the legitimate demands of the Algerian people is the solution that guarantees the sovereignty of the constitution and the continuity of the state,” Gaid Salah had stressed.
The outgoing President asked his country for “forgiveness” in a letter published by APS. He also expressed his “gratitude” for the “signs of affection and respect from his dear sisters and brothers” and “implored” Algerians “to remain united and never succumb to division” after his resignation.
Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika had officially notified the President of the Constitutional Council, of his decision of terminating his term as President of the Republic in the following terms:
“I have the honour to formally notify you of my decision to terminate my term as President of the Republic, as from today, Tuesday, Radjab 1440, corresponding to 02 April 2019.
This decision that I take in my good conscience is intended to contribute to easing the hearts and minds of my compatriots and to enable them to plan together for a better future for Algeria, which they legitimately aspire to.
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This decision is triggered by my eagerness to prevent that the verbal excesses that unintentionally mark the situation turn into potentially dangerous drifts, and for the protection of persons and property which is the main prerogatives of the State.
In the same time, this decision is an expression of my faith in a proud and dignified Algeria which fully assumes its responsibilities in the community of nations.
In this perspective, I have taken the appropriate measures, as part of my constitutional prerogatives, to ensure that the State and its institutions will continue to normally function during the transition period, leading to the election of the new President of the Republic.
May God Almighty be a witness of the initiatives and the actions I have taken, and the efforts and the sacrifices I have made to live up to the trust which my fellow countrymen have placed in me, working tirelessly to consolidate the foundations of national unity, independence and development of our beloved country and to promote reconciliation with ourselves and with our identity and our history.
I wish all the best to the Algerian people.”
A fighter in the 1954-1962 war to end French colonial rule, Bouteflika became independent Algeria’s first foreign minister and one of the forces behind the Non-Aligned Movement that gave a global voice to Africa, Asia and Latin America.
First elected president in 1999, he negotiated a truce to end the fighting and wrested power from the secretive military-based establishment known as “le pouvoir” (the powers-that-be).