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Middle East

The Latest: Sudanese protesters take heart from Algeria

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    A crowd celebrates after ailing Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned after 20 years in power, Tuesday April 2, 2019 in Algiers. Bouteflika quit in a statement read on national television after the country's Defense Ministry aggressively called for Bouteflika to "immediately" vacate the office he held for two decades. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)

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    FILE - In this May 4, 2017 file photo, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika prepares to vote in Algiers. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down on Tuesday April 2, 2019 after 20 years in office, and six weeks of massive nationwide protests aimed at pushing him and his much-criticized inner circle from power to create a real democracy in the gas-rich nation. (AP Photo/Sidali Djarboub, File)

ALGIERS, Algeria – The Latest on the change of power in Algeria (all times local):

10:45 a.m.

The organizers behind months of anti-government demonstrations in Sudan are welcoming the resignation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in response to mass protests, and are expressing hope that Sudan's Omar al-Bashir will do the same.

Sarah Abdel-Jaleel, a spokeswoman for the Sudanese Professionals Association, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Bouteflika's resignation is "a very positive achievement," showing the "success of peaceful resistance within Africa."

She says it "definitely gives us all hope and reassurance that we must continue."

The group of independent professional unions has spearheaded demonstrations since December calling for al-Bashir to resign after nearly three decades in power.

Al-Bashir has refused to step down and has launched a heavy crackdown on dissent.

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9:40 a.m.

Algeria is facing a new era after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's resignation — and questions about what happens next for this gas-rich country and ally to the West in fighting terrorism.

Algeria's 12-member Constitutional Council is expected to meet Wednesday to confirm the departure. National television showed a frail Bouteflika handing his resignation letter to Constitutional Council president Tayeb Belaiz.

Algeria's Constitution says that when a president dies or resigns, the Constitutional Council confirms the leader's absence and both houses of parliament convene. The president of the upper house is named as interim leader for 90 days while a presidential election is organized.

The current upper house president is Abdelkader Bensalah, a Bouteflika ally — as is the prime minister. The protesters who drove Bouteflika out want a drastic change of Algeria's political elite, seen as corrupt and secretive.