It has been months of unprecedented protests across Algeria — the largest anti-government demonstrations in over 30 years. And finally, the moment that many here have been waiting for: The man who has ruled this country for the past 20 years, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is finally stepping down. His departure marks a crucial turning point, even though it’s unclear who or what would come next. At 82 years old, Bouteflika is mute, paralyzed and barely able to move his hand since a stroke in 2013. He’s held his grip on power, aided by a well-organized entourage around him who actually run the country. But Bouteflika has a storied history. He fought in the battle to end French colonial rule and after a series of government posts, he became foreign minister. In that post, he became known for supporting post-colonial countries and challenging America’s global power. Like in this trademark speech he gave, where he demanded the communist China be given a seat in the United Nations. With military backing, Bouteflika was then elected president in 1999, near the end of the Algerian civil war. An estimated 200,000 people died in a devastating conflict between Islamic militants and the military. He won support by negotiating an end to the fighting. And it helped him maintain power. He was re-elected in 2004, although his opponents said it was rigged. From there, he put in constitutional amendments that let him run again and again. Bouteflika consolidated power last year by kicking out a dozen top military officials And this is the very thing that’s sending Algerians out on the street to protest. They want an end to what they call “the power”: the high-ranking officials, military officers and businessmen surrounding Bouteflika, who are actually running the country. With Bouteflika stepping down, it’s unclear if those running the country on his behalf will also step aside.