Algerians sceptical as Boueflika abandons bid for fifth term

Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika has postponed the April 18th presidential elections and said he will not seek a fifth term in office.

President Bouteflika’s candidacy had provoked mass protests across Algeria over the past few weeks.

There was no suggestion in the announcement that the president intends to step down before a rescheduled election.

Meanwhile, Algeria’s prime minister Ahmed Ouyahia announced his resignation and was replaced by interior minister Noureddine Bedoui, who has been tasked with forming a new government.