Abdelaziz Bouteflika

Bouteflika was elected president after all other candidates withdrew, citing fraud. His election aimed to end the Algerian Civil War, and he quickly pursued a policy of national reconciliation.

Bouteflika's government passed a charter offering amnesty to Islamist militants who laid down arms, effectively ending the Algerian Civil War. The charter was approved by referendum and led to a significant reduction in violence, though it was criticized for impunity.

Bouteflika, despite being in poor health and rarely appearing in public, won a fourth presidential term. The election was marred by low turnout and allegations of fraud, fueling public discontent that later erupted in the Hirak movement.

After months of massive weekly protests known as the Hirak movement, Bouteflika resigned from the presidency. The protests demanded an end to his rule and the dismantling of the political system that had kept him in power for 20 years.