Algeria’s powerful army chief Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah has died of a heart attack, according to local media reporting.
Salah was instrumental in forcing ex-leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika out of power this year.
The 79-year-old’s death was confirmed by state media with new President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announcing a replacement for him.
Tebboune said the head of land forces, General Said Chengriha, would take over as acting chief of staff of the armed forces.
At the peak of protests in Algeria, pushing for Bouteflika’s exit, it was Gaed Salah’s televised speech urging the former leader to quit that played a crucial role in the ending the regime.
When Bouteflika left power, Gen Salah was seen as de facto leader, sparking renewed protests for a total overhaul of the old regime.
Gen Salah was one of the last veterans that led the 1954-62 independence war against France.
He helped to organize this month’s presidential election which was worn by a former Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The controversial and boycotted presidential election however ended the old regime but many Algerians were not happy with the process.
Young people make up about 70% of the country’s population. Unemployment remains high among Algeria’s young people.
Source: Africafeeds.com
