Thousands protest Algeria president’s fifth term bid

ALGIERS: Police fired tear gas in central Algiers on Friday to disperse thousands of Algerians protesting against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to seek a fifth term, witnesses said.

Assembling in the centre of the capital after Friday prayers, protesters opposed to a plan by the 81-yearold leader to extend his 20-year rule in April elections chanted “Bye, bye Bouteflika” and “peaceful, peaceful”. Some carried roses.

The crowd was quickly building up with tens of thousands walking through the city centre within one hour of the start of the protest, residents said.

“Look at the Algerian youth, all it is demanding is a valid president who can talk to the people,” said Hamdane Salim, a 45-year-old public sector worker.

“Twenty years are enough,” said Khadidja, a woman accompanied by her husband and children.

Among the crowd was Djamila Bouhired, 83, a heroine of the 19541962 independence war against France, who told reporters: “I’m happy to be here.”

There were also demonstrations in other cities such as Oran, Constantine, Setif, Tizi Ouzou and Bouira drawing in up to thousands, residents said.

Since last Friday thousands have taken part in rarely seen antigovernment protests. Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013, has been seen in public only a few times since and has given no known speeches in years.

Many Algerians for years avoided politics in public fearing trouble from the omnipresent security services or disillusioned as the country has been run by the same group of veterans since the 1954-1962 independence war with France.

But the new protest waves appears to have broken the long taboo on public discussion of politics.

According to Bouteflika’s opponents, there is no evidence he is fit enough to lead the country and that it is being ruled in his name by advisers. Authorities say he retains a firm grip on public affairs despite the rarity of his appearances.

— Reuters