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AFP
Algiers
Tens of thousands of Algerians once again staged huge demonstrations Friday, a month after ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term sparked a protest movement that shows little sign of abating.
Despite bad weather, a two-kilometre (over a mile) long column of people snaked through one of the main streets of the capital Algiers to rally at the Grand Post Office in the city centre.
Like the past two Fridays, the Muslim day of prayer, when record numbers of protesters rallied in Algiers, drums and horns cheered the demonstrators as the crowds clogged other major roads.
Security sources have said last week there were demonstrations in 40 out of the North African country’s 48 provinces, while foreign diplomats say “millions” of Algerians have rallied against Bouteflika’s plans to extend his two-decade rule.
Algerian media and social networks said Friday there were also other demonstrations across the country of 40 million people, including its second city, Oran.
Now an indispensable accessory for protesters, the green and white Algerian flag with its red star and crescent moon could be seen everywhere draped around shoulders, flying from balconies or held aloft and waved.
“Stand down,” cried one banner. Retired civil servant Zineb, 59, said she would continue demonstrating “in rain or snow, until this rotten regime falls”. Bouteflika said on February 22 he would run for a fifth term in April 18 elections, despite concerns about his ability to rule.
The 82-year-old uses a wheelchair and has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.
Following early protests, he made the surprise announcement on March 11 that he was pulling out of the race – and also postponed the polls.
Algiers
Tens of thousands of Algerians once again staged huge demonstrations Friday, a month after ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term sparked a protest movement that shows little sign of abating.
Despite bad weather, a two-kilometre (over a mile) long column of people snaked through one of the main streets of the capital Algiers to rally at the Grand Post Office in the city centre.
Like the past two Fridays, the Muslim day of prayer, when record numbers of protesters rallied in Algiers, drums and horns cheered the demonstrators as the crowds clogged other major roads.
Security sources have said last week there were demonstrations in 40 out of the North African country’s 48 provinces, while foreign diplomats say “millions” of Algerians have rallied against Bouteflika’s plans to extend his two-decade rule.
Algerian media and social networks said Friday there were also other demonstrations across the country of 40 million people, including its second city, Oran.
Now an indispensable accessory for protesters, the green and white Algerian flag with its red star and crescent moon could be seen everywhere draped around shoulders, flying from balconies or held aloft and waved.
“Stand down,” cried one banner. Retired civil servant Zineb, 59, said she would continue demonstrating “in rain or snow, until this rotten regime falls”. Bouteflika said on February 22 he would run for a fifth term in April 18 elections, despite concerns about his ability to rule.
The 82-year-old uses a wheelchair and has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.
Following early protests, he made the surprise announcement on March 11 that he was pulling out of the race – and also postponed the polls.
