For the sixth consecutive week, Algerians took to the streets on Friday against the shadowy forces controlling the country. Demonstrators are demanding the removal of the puppet president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is controlled by political insiders, military leaders and oligarchs. Algerians want new leadership in the country.
The army has recently proposed to operationalize Article 102, by declaring the position of president vacant, a declaration that has been repeated by military leaders. Algerians demand that the old power systems let go of control beyond just the removal of the government’s figure head. During weeks of protests demanding an end to his 20-year rule, Bouteflika has been abandoned by several close allies, who are either planning to appease protesters with the appointment of another puppet or who are afraid of the potential consequences of this national uprising.
Millions of protesters streamed into Grand Post Square in the capital Algiers, where they chanted slogans against the government.
The president suffered a severe stroke in 2013 and has since rarely appeared in public. Due to his health decline and alleged incompetence, Bouteflika has been called a puppet president who is controlled by the power elite. In late February, protests began against a possible fifth term for Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. After increased pressure from protesters to remove Bouteflika from office, it was subsequently announced he would not run for another presidential term, but new elections would be suspended indefinitely.
Demonstrators in the North African country want an alternative to a ruling class comprised of ruling party officials, oligarchs and military officers.
Photo: “190305-N-JI086-113” by Commander, U.S. Naval F is in the Public Domain
ANARCHIMEDIA 