For several weeks, mass protests have filled the streets of Algeria, demanding the departure of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. A former liberation champion, Mr Bouteflika distinguished himself in the early 2000s by helping to end a grim civil war and establishing Algeria as an example of post-conflict stability. However, after years of political stagnation, the Algerian people are calling for change.
This is not an attack on the president himself, but on the opaque political system he represents. With the military, unions, and members of his ruling coalition turning against him, Mr Bouteflika has little chance of retaining the presidency. Meanwhile, his announcement last month that he would not seek a fifth term in office but would not depart immediately failed to pacify demonstrators.
And yet, protests have been characterised by a hopeful, positive atmosphere, free from violence. It is a testament to the will of all concerned to see a peaceful future for Algeria. Clearly, the country needs to forge a meaningful new path and this situation should not merely be managed, but resolved. Doing so effectively will set the tone for the future of this strategically important nation.
In recent days, the army has emerged as a key power-broker, after its chief, Lt Gen Ahmed Salah, called for Mr Bouteflika to be declared constitutionally unfit for office. Many individuals across Algeria's political spectrum have come out in support of Mr Salah's remarks – unsurprising, perhaps, given that it is at times such as this that names are made and reputations formed. The military is revered across the country for its role in bringing stability, and the institution has distinguished itself this month in a region where peaceful protests are often met with violence. As such, many protesters have pinned their hopes for a peaceful transition on the army.
As prominent activist Moustafa Bouchachi said: "I hope [the military] will continue to be with the people, and, yes, I hope it will help secure a transition." This may now be the least injurious course of action, although Mr Salah should be aware that Algerians are unlikely to settle for more of the same. If Mr Bouteflika is replaced with another member of the ruling elite, anger will most likely continue to grow. It is a new breed of young Algerian politician that the people are demanding.
This is Algeria’s biggest challenge in decades. If handled well, it will give Algerians an opportunity to decide what kind of country they want. The military has an opportunity to facilitate this and oversee a meaningful transition befitting of the legacy of Mr Bouteflika. Dancing and blowing horns, Algerian protesters are imbued with hope for the future. That optimism must not give way to scenes of despair, or, worse, violence – and Algeria’s powerful military can and should make sure of that.
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
