Bouteflika on the ropes as protests grow
Publish date: 18 March 2019
Issue Number: 815
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Algeria
Calls for the immediate resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika continue to grow despite him dropping his bid for a fifth term. The BBC's Mohamed Himeur in Algiers says says the country is experiencing the biggest protest in memory. Police this weekend fired tear gas at protesters near the Bouteflika’s office. As previously reported in Legalbrief Today, the President postponed the planned 18 April presidential vote. However, activists now see it as a ploy for the National Liberation Front to hold on to power. The ailing octogenarian rarely appears in public and has not given a public address since having a stroke in 2013. Activists say they are not ready to compromise or negotiate.
Bouteflika's announcement came hours after more than 1 000 judges said they would refuse to oversee the election if he was a candidate. BBC News reports that the judges say they will not act against the will of the people. In a statement, the judges said they should join an effort to 'declare that we are the people'. 'We announce our intention to abstain from ... supervising the election process against the will of the people, which is the only source of power,' they added.
