Tens of Thousands in New Protests against Bouteflika
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-kilometer (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 center.
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.
- Marching for change -
"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.
Protesters initially greeted the move with elation, but staged further mass demonstrations once they realized he intended to remain in office.
On Friday, many had again traveled far to attend demonstrations in the capital.
"I will march every Friday, until there is a radical change" to the system, said Younes Laroussi, an unemployed 24-year-old from Tiaret, 270 kilometers (170 miles) from Algiers.
Organizers used social media this week to call for further protests against Bouteflika and his entourage in the former French colony.
"The Algerian people demand the immediate and unconditional departure of President Bouteflika," read one widely-shared post, which urged that "the leaders of countries that support Algeria's illegitimate power stop... their interference."
The demonstrations, unprecedented since Bouteflika won a first term in 1999, have remained largely peaceful.
The government has responded with promises of political and constitutional reform.
Authorities have pledged to hold a "national conference" to discuss reforms, followed by a referendum on a new constitution and eventually the election of a new president.
- 'Concept of a future state' -
Deputy prime minister Ramtane Lamamra on Tuesday promised "open and transparent" steps to resolve the political crisis, as Algeria's ally Russia backed his government's plans.
Lamamra said Algeria was developing a "concept of a future state" and that a new constitution would be written "on the basis of an open and transparent discussion."
The national conference would decide the date of future elections, he said, adding Bouteflika was "ready to fully transfer his powers" to a new president.
But students, professors, medics, lawyers and magistrates have continued to protest this week and cracks have emerged within Bouteflika's own regime.
His National Liberation Front party said Wednesday it supports protesters' calls for change, while the main trade union confederation and business organization have been hit by dissent and resignations over their leadership's initial support of another term for Bouteflika.
Source: Agence France Presse
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