ALGIERS: Flag-waving Algerians have celebrated the resignation of veteran president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, but vowed on Wednesday to keep protesting to demand sweeping change to the country’s political system.
The 82-year-old’s departure, announced on state media late on Tuesday, followed weeks of massive demonstrations that have shaken the North African nation.
Car horns sounded on the streets before jubilant crowds converged in the centre of the capital Algiers to cheer his departure.
Many Algerians have never known any president other than Bouteflika, who held power for two decades but was rarely seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.
Protesters in Algiers welcomed his departure but said they were determined to continue demonstrating, rejecting any transition that leaves power in the hands of the “system”.
“I want my daughter to remember this historic day. Bouteflika’s gone, but it’s far from over,” said 35-year-old Amal, who wore a T-shirt with the slogan “I am against the system” and vowed to march again on Friday.
For 44-year-old engineer Hamid Boumaza, Bouteflika’s resignation was “too little, too late”.
“Bouteflika’s departure is no longer enough. We want them all to go. We want full freedom and we will march for as long as necessary.”
Others paid tribute to the longtime leader, but regretted that he had clung to power for so long.
“Bouteflika worked. I voted for him at first, but he didn’t know how to leave with his head held high,” said Bilan Brahim, 40.
Algeria’s Constitutional Council said on Wednesday it had accepted Bouteflika’s resignation and
informed parliament that his post was officially vacant.
Algeria’s constitution says that once the president officially resigns, the speaker of the upper house of parliament, currently 77-year-old Abdelkader Bensalah, acts as interim leader for up to 90 days during which a presidential election must be organised. — AFP
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