taroudant news : Sharp popular comments accompany the departure of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika

The death of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was ousted from power in 2019 after weeks of pro-democracy protests, was met with few comments on Saturday, both in the media and on the street, apart from some sharp comments. On Friday, at the age of 84, Bouteflika, who remained president of Algeria for 20 years (1999-2019), died, setting a record for the duration of his rule. The man whose presence has been overwhelming for decades has almost disappeared since he suffered a stroke in 2013, and then has completely disappeared since the army forced him to resign on April 2, 2019. After a silence, the authorities announced late in the morning that the flags would fly at half-mast for three days, starting from Saturday, by a decision of the President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, after “the death of former Mujahid President Abdelaziz Bouteflika,” according to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic. During the night, the presidency contented itself with a brief press statement announcing the death of Bouteflika, born on March 2, 1937, “in his place of residence.” The radio and television stations only mentioned him briefly, without specifying any program for him. Radio stations continued to broadcast music and entertainment programs as they would on a regular weekend. The news of the death was absent from all printed editions of newspapers, as it was announced after their closure. But some, such as the state daily Al-Mujahid, reported the news in an excerpt in their online version. The date and location of Bouteflika's burial has not been officially announced, but the Sabq Press website said that the burial will take place on Sunday in the Martyrs' Square of the El Alia Cemetery, east of Algiers. It is here that all former presidents rest, along with dignitaries and martyrs of the War of Independence (1954-1962). Biting comments in the streets Algerians were not indifferent to the ousted president's death, and they greeted the news with a torrent of charged comments. 'Peace is to his soul, but he does not deserve any honor because he has done nothing for the country,' Rabah, a fruit and vegetable merchant in the city of Al-Ashour in the capital's heights, told AFP. Malik, a communications employee, said that Bouteflika 'was unable to reform the country despite his long rule.' Muhammad, a 46-year-old carpenter, said: “He lived Raghda’s life even after he was removed from power, but we must mention that the legacy he left is not impressive.” But others believe that 'the country improved when Bouteflika became president,' Amer, a restaurant employee, told AFP. 'The only problem was his illness, otherwise it would have been better if he had remained president,' referring to the reconciliation process after the dark decade. 'He was received in any country in the world,' the 46-year-old added, referring to his past as foreign minister under Presidents Ahmed Ben Bella and Houari Boumediene. “We have a white heart,” said 19-year-old student Mustafa. “We cannot speak ill of the dead. He ruled and protected the country. … This is what can affect us.” Since his resignation, under pressure from the army and the street, 'Bou Teff', as the Algerians call him, has been living out of sight, in isolation in his medically equipped residence in Zeralda, west of Algiers. According to the Sabq Press website, Bouteflika died in Zeralda, surrounded by his sister Zohour, brother Nasser and other members of his family; His brother Saeed, who is imprisoned on corruption charges, asked to attend the funeral.