Algeria’s Turbulent Path to Democracy: Missed Chances and The Fall of Abdelaziz Bouteflika

• Main Authors: Israel Nyaburi Nyadera, Billy Agwanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Journal of Politic and Security 2019-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Politic and Security
• Subjects: Algeria; Democracy; Bouteflika; Army
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ijps/issue/41280/560748

The disastrous consequences some Middle East and North African countries experienced as a result of the Arab Spring diluted any hopes that another wave of people driven demands for democracy would be on the horizon in the region. Therefore, when protestors poured on the streets of major cities in Algeria demanding an end to the reign of president Bouteflika, who was contesting the presidency for a fifth term, many remained sceptical that this would result to a now familiar case of bloodshed and destruction as being witnessed in Yemen, Syria and Libya. This article seeks to examine Algeria’s turbulent journey in search of democracy, the missed opportunities and the bloodless fall of Bouteflika. It argues that the involvement of the military in Algeria’s politics has been the biggest obstacle to democracy, and the recent events that led to the fall of the military supported regime of Bouteflika could mark the beginning of a hopeful path to political reforms.