Abdelaziz
Bouteflika has been the President of Algeria since 1999. A
veteran of Algeria's War for Independence, he was a key government
official for nearly two decades after independence. When
President Houari Boumedienne suddenly died in office, Bouteflika was
considered a likely successor, but the military instead chose a
compromise candidate; soon after, he was charged with corruption and
went into exile for six years.
Assuming
the presidency during the Algerian Civil War, Bouteflika offered
amnesty to any guerrilla who would "repent" and return to
civilian life; many accepted. As president, he has instituted
economic reforms and enhanced Algeria's position in world affairs,
particularly in Africa. While he claims popular support, he
faces fraud accusations, and the Kabyle community frequently protests
his policies. During the Arab Spring,
many speculated his removal from power, but he appeased the people
with concessions such as ending the 1993 emergency law.
For more information, see http://ti.me/ieGAPI.
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