Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika abandoned his bid for a fifth term in power this week. But he also canceled the presidential election that had been set for April, saying he would stay in power to oversee the writing of a new constitution. Yasser Hakim looks at how the situation in Algeria could influence politics in other north African countries.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika heeded to demonstrators' calls not run for a fifth term in office. However, this has not halted protests as hoped. A scenario people in the region have gone through before.

GAMAL RAIF DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF, OCTOBER WEEKLY "The door is now open for chaos in Algeria if demonstrations continue. They have to learn from what happened in Egypt and Tunisia where the rise of political Islam caused divisions in the nations. There are calls for Friday demonstrations exactly similar to the Arab Spring protests in spite of Bouteflika accepting their demands. It's the same scenario as here before. This chaotic situation will damage the economy just like how Egypt and Tunisia have suffered before."

Some experts believe the events in Algeria could have implications on neighborhood countries.

GAMAL RAIF DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF, OCTOBER WEEKLY "If political Islamist forces take the lead in Algeria, then this will definitely affect north Africa especially Tunisia and Morocco where Islamists are still strong. Extremism could spread into those countries like a domino effect. This scenario will give room for foreign intervention and rise of terrorism again just as we saw after the Arab uprisings."

Bouteflika has not yet set a new date for the elections. A national conference is expected to take place to map out the next steps.

YASSER HAKIM CAIRO "The next few weeks are crucial for Algeria and will determine if the country would go through a peaceful transitional process, or will it turn violent like in Syria, Libya and Yemen. Yasser Hakim, CGTN, Cairo."