Algerian Politics: Ailing Bouteflika Confirms Bid to Run for the Fifth Term in Office

Vows to Oversee a National Dialogue Leading to Fresh Polls if Re-elected

The incumbent President of Algeria, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has confirmed his bid to run again as President of the Nation for the fifth time assuring that he will not serve a full term. In a letter presented by his campaign manager, the President stated that if he is eventually re-elected into office, he would oversee a national dialogue that would lead to fresh elections which he would not participate in. The 82 years old who is currently receiving medical attention in Switzerland came into power in 1999 and is credited to putting an end to a civil war which is estimated to have killed more than a 100,000 people. The people of Algeria took to the streets for a peaceful demonstration after the President’s declaration of his fifth term bid.