Algerians take part in a demonstration against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the capital Algiers on March 22, 2019. Bouteflika said on February 22 he would run for a fifth term in April 18 elections, despite concerns about his ability to rule. The 82-year-old uses a wheelchair and has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. Following initial protests, he made the surprise announcement on March 11 that he was pulling out of the race — and also postponed the polls.
The millennials who have led and propelled the uprising did not witness the so-called ‘black decade’ of their country, a period characterised by war and uncertainty. They simply demanded some quick changes: that the ailing president who was away in Switzerland on treatment should not seek a fifth term in office; that Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia should step down; that there should be more democracy; that they wanted a less corrupt society and a radical change in the way of doing things.
Algeria has known and developed the culture of struggle in its long history from the 19th century, first against external enemies represented by the French government and later among contending forces within the country. For example, the war of independence lasted for seven years from 1954 to 1962 and Ahmed Ben Bella became president from 1963. The trajectory of these struggles produced such great thinkers as Frantz Fanon who saw in the plight of Algerians the ugly face of racism.
It is redeeming that not all past and current African leaders have swallowed the deceit of power forever. Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Dr. Leopold Sedar Senghor and Abdou Diouf of Senegal stood out to be counted when it became necessary that they moved on. Currently, three African presidents- Paul Biya of Cameroun, Al Bashir of Sudan, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda continue to desecrate the altar of true leadership by extended and unconstitutional stay in office.