They are saying if they can achieve this in six weeks of demonstrations, they’ll secure a radical change of government in the  oil-rich North African State.

ends intro

Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation  became inevitable when members of the ruling elite, known as le pouvoir called for the departure of the wheelchair-bound 82 year-old who has been at the helm for two decades.

Now even they are being targeted by  the mainly young and remarkably peaceful demonstrators.

It is not clear who will succeed Bouteflika.

Constitutionally, Senate speaker Abdelkader Bensallah  should step in until elections within 45 days.

But there are no political certainties in today’s Algeria.  

The post Celebrations in Algeria as President Abdelaziz Bouteflika steps down appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.