Thousands of Algerian students protested in several parts of the country on Wednesday against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s decision to seek a fifth term in office.
In spite of a warning from the army that it would not allow a breakdown in security. The North African country has been rocked by massive demonstrations against the 82-year-old president since he announced in February his intention to run for a new term.
“Students protested in large numbers in Algeria’s eastern, western and southern provinces, demanding the cancellation of the April 18 presidential election.
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“Demonstrators also chanted slogans including the people want regime change, a shout reminiscent of the pro-democracy uprisings of the Arab Spring that started in neighbouring Tunisia in 2010,’’ the witnesses added.
On Tuesday, army chief of staff, Gaid Saleh, said the military would “remain holding the reins” in Algeria in order to maintain security, accusing unnamed forces of seeking to destabilise the country.
Some protesters criticised Saleh’s remarks, with one in the capital said that they “do not match the people’s expectations for the army.”
Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and is rarely seen in public.
He travelled to Geneva on February 24 for medical check-ups, and it is not clear if he has since returned to the country.
His fitness for staying in power has been an open question since he stood for the 2014 presidential vote, which he won. (NAN)