Tens of thousands of Algerians of all social classes have protested over the past three weeks, while Bouteflika was in a Swiss hospital, against his decision to run in April’s election.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika landed in Algeria on Sunday Ennahar TV said, after spending two weeks in a Swiss hospital while protesters have massed at home in the biggest threat to his 20-year rule.
The ruling FLN party urged all sides to work together to end the political crisis, Ennahar TV said. It wants national reconciliation and to preserve security and stability, the station said. “We have taken to the streets today to protest a fifth presidential term. We are against a fifth term. This is enough,” protester Zakaria said in front of the Central Postal Office.Young Algerians are desperate for jobs and angry about unemployment, corruption and an elderly elite in the North African country, a major oil and gas producer.A general strike has hit the country’s Mediterranean oil ports of Skikda and Bejaia but exports were not affected, according to port staff.
“We need a new generation to govern us and secure a better future for our children,” said pensioner Ahmed, 63.Even if Bouteflika’s position becomes untenable, it is not clear who could replace him. Algeria has stagnated for decades under veterans of the independence war who dominate the country.
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.
Hundreds of Algerian lawyers protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in streetsThe protesters want Bouteflika to step down after 20 years in power, adding momentum to the biggest protests there since the 2011 Arab Spring
Read more »
Algerian war veterans back protests demanding end to President Bouteflika’s ruleThe ongoing unrest poses the biggest challenge yet to Bouteflika and his inner circle which includes members of the military and intelligence services and businessmen
Read more »
Thousands protest in Algeria, call on President Bouteflika to step downTens of thousands of people have rallied in cities around Algeria in the largest protests since the 2011 Arab Spring, calling on Bouteflika not to submit election papers for the April 18 vote
Read more »
Businesses shut down, streets emptied in Sudan amid protests against President Omar al-BashirPressure has been mounted in the deadly protests on longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir to step down, intially sparked by rising prices and shortages
Read more »
After decades of protests, Algeria’s President Bouteflika offers to step down within one year if re-electedThousands 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
Read more »
60 years after Dalai Lama fled, China defends its rule in Tibet amid worldwide protestsThe statements in official media came as Tibetans and their supporters marked the anniversary Sunday and called for greater international support.
Read more »
Train, metro services halted in Algerian capital, riot police deployed amid anti-Bouteflika protestsThe demonstrations, now entering their third week, are the biggest since the 2011 ‘Arab Spring,' and pose the biggest challenge to the 82-year-old president, who is standing for re-election on April 18
Read more »
Sudan sentences 9 women to prison for protesting, backs down on 20 lashesSudan sentenced nine women to a month's imprisonment for taking part in anti-government protests, an opposition group said Sunday, the latest in a crackdown aimed at quashing almost three months of protests calling for the country's autocratic president to step down.
Read more »
Charges laid after threats made against MacLeod amid autism protestsPolice in Ottawa say they have charged one person with uttering threats against Ontario Children and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod, prompting her to avoid the public amid protests over her changes to the provincial autism support program.
Read more »
Anger boils in Algeria despite President’s offer to protestersCrowds of mainly young protesters demonstrated into the early hours of Monday after Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s campaign manager formalized the President’s candidacy for a fifth term
Read more »