End of an era

Algeria’s ailing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika submitted his resignation with immediate effect, state television said yesterday, ceding power in the face of massive street protests after two decades at the helm. Bouteflika “officially advised the Constitutional Council of the end of his term of office as President of the Republic” from Tuesday, said a news ticker on the public broadcaster.

Long accused of clinging to power, Bouteflika has come under mounting pressure to step down since his decision to seek a fifth term despite rarely being seen in public after suffering a stroke in 2013.

The 82-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, said last month he would pull out of the bid for another term, and on Monday his office said he would resign before his mandate expires at the end of the month. The moves failed to satisfy protesters who feared a ploy to extend his rule and the armed forces chief called for him to leave power.