Former Algerian Abdelaziz Bouteflika Has Died

 

One of Algeria's longest serving presidents has died. A 20 year presidency saw an end to the Algerian Civil War in 2002. His leadership was able to survive the Arab spring in 2011. However, when Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced he was running for a fifth term, protests broke out. Questions surrounding his health and growing corruption became concerns among Algerians. The response was to end emergency rule. This was done prior to the 2019 demonstrations. His career as a political figure began in 1962. Prior to this he fought for Algerian independence joining the National Liberation Army. Eventually, he would participate in the 1965 military coup  deposing Ahmed Ben Bella. Algeria under his presidency attempted to gain closer ties to France, while improving  relations with Sub-Saharan African states. The 2005 French riots harmed relations with France. The discrimination of the Algerian French population and rising Islamophobia became a concern. Tuareg rebellions in Mali and tension with Morocco became major issues in his second term. Suffering a stroke in 2013, many believed that President Bouteflika was no longer fit to govern. Over the decades, the country was becoming more authoritarian similar to Tunisia and Egypt. Algeria is charting a new political course. The hinderance to change comes from the military and the NLF Party that Abdelaziz Bouteflika contributed to.