The 12 December presidential election that Algeria’s embattled leadership hoped would end a nine-month anti-government movement, saw mass protests, clashes with security forces and a poor 41% turnout.

The Algerians that did vote chose former PM Abdelmadjid Tebboune as their new president with 58%. The name makes little difference to the ‘Hirak’ movement. They say the election was essentially designed to keep the remaining system in place. They want it out. All five candidates are in some way linked to the deposed Abdelaziz Bouteflika regime (MEES, 5 April). (CONTINUED - 218 WORDS)