Thousands of protesters had been rallying throughout the day in cities around Algeria, calling on Bouteflika not to submit election papers for the April 18 polls, the deadline for which was Sunday
A demonstrator holds up a sign that reads, 'no to a 5th term' during a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term, in Marseille, southern France, on Sunday, March 3, 2019.Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, facing mass protests over his 20 years in power, will run in April’s elections, his campaign manager said on Sunday, with Ennahar TV saying he had offered to step down after a year if re-elected.
In a sign of a disconnect from the mostly young population, almost 70 per cent of which are aged below 30, he communicated via letter, as he has since suffering a stroke in 2013. “I listened and heard the passionate call from the protesters, especially the thousands of young people,” Bouteflika wrote, repeating a previous pledge to hold a referendum on constitutional reform.
Analysts say the protesters lack leadership and organization in a country still dominated by veterans of the 1954-62 independence war against France, including Bouteflika. But the new series of protests have been generally peaceful, apart from scuffles with police on Friday, leaving 183 people injured.
According to witnesses and local television footage, protesters also turned out in their thousands in other cities including Oran and Constantine. Some 6,000 also protested in Paris, where many Algerians live.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigeria's re-elected president calls for calm after opponent rejects resultNigeria's president on Wednesday defended his sweeping win of a second term as free and fair and appealed to a “common love of country” as his top challenger vowed to go to court with allegations of fraud.
Read more »
Hudson's Bay president Alison Coville to step down effective FridayAlison Coville, the president of iconic retailer Hudson's Bay, is stepping down.
Read more »
HBC president Alison Coville to step down effective FridayHudson's Bay Co. says its president Alison Coville is stepping down.
Read more »
HBC president Alison Coville stepping downThe retailer will be led by key executives after Colville leaves on March 1, until a permanent successor is found
Read more »
Hudson’s Bay president Alison Coville to step down effective March 1Hudson's Bay president Alison Coville to step down effective March 1
Read more »
U.S., North Korea offer duelling accounts on why talks broke downNorth Korea insisted it had asked only partial sanctions relief in exchange for shutting down its main nuclear complex
Read more »
Rescue puppy who couldn’t walk takes first steps in tubA rescue puppy born without the use of his legs is slowly learning to walk through hydrotherapy training.
Read more »
Tim Hortons opens first Chinese location, offering salted egg yolk timbitTORONTO — Tim Hortons has opened its first restaurant in China, in the People’s Square in Shanghai.The Canadian restaurant chain expects there will be 1,500 locations opened across Chin…
Read more »
Tim Hortons opens first Chinese location, offering salted egg yolk timbitTim Hortons has opened its first restaurant in China, in the People's Square in Shanghai.
Read more »
Tim Hortons opens first Chinese location, offering salted egg yolk timbitTim Hortons has opened its first restaurant in China, in the People's Square in Shanghai.
Read more »