Algeria’s President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika has returned home from Switzerland where he had been undergoing medical treatment.
Bouteflika who is under intense pressure to exit power had been staying at the Swiss city’s main hospital for weeks.
A plane carrying Bouteflika landed near Algiers according to local media reports.
He is returning home ahead of general elections next month.
Earlier an eyewitness at the Swiss hospital said the Gulfstream executive jet, which brought the 82 year old leader to Geneva on February 24 “touch down at the airport amid a heavy police presence.”
Ennahar TV reports that the plane landed at Boufarik military airport in Algeria. But no footage of him was broadcast.
Bouteflika has defied protests from citizens urging him not to contest April’s election. He is confined to the wheel-chair but is seeking a fifth term refusing to quit.
Weeks of protests across Algeria for him not to file to contest failed to make any impact.
Universities closing for ‘early holidays’
On Saturday the government ordered universities to close early for holidays. This is in an attempt to prevent students from mobilizing further for protests.
Universities were originally scheduled to go on holidays from March 21 to April 5 but that will now start on March 10 and end on April 4.
The education ministry did not any reason for the move but it is evident students are getting much involved in the ongoing protests against Bouteflika.
Bouteflika reportedly suffered stroke in 2013 and hardly makes public appearances. He has been in power for 20 years now.
Despite not in good health he is bent on securing another term, with opposition parties doubting whether he is fully in charge of affairs.
Bouteflika is leading a rich oil and gas-exporting country.
Source: Africafeeds.com
