Algeria's Army Chief Invokes Constitution to Remove Bouteflika

On March 26, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, chief of staff of the Algerian People's National Army, called for the implementation of Article 102 of the constitution. This is the first step in the process to install an interim government should the president be deemed incapacitated. By invoking Article 102, the army chief is setting in motion a Constitutional Council review of ailing President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika's physical ability to govern. The reviewing body will have to make a recommendation to the Algerian parliament, and if the constitutional council determines that the president is incapacitated, both chambers of parliament must assemble to vote on subsequent steps. A two-thirds majority is required by law to remove the president....