Monday, November 11, 2024

Algerians hold more protest rallies to force Bouteflika out

Must read

Nigerian High Commission apartments in Ghana demolished

Some new apartments built at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana’s capital city Accra, have been demolished by bulldozers. The apartments have been constructed to...

Covid-19: Ghana records significant recovery numbers

Ghanaian health officials on Saturday said over 10,000 persons infected with the coronavirus have now recovered. The significant number of recoveries means the country now...

DR Congo: President’s ex-chief of staff jailed 20 years for corruption

The ex-chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been jailed 20 years by a high court. Vital Kamerhe was...

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s health minister arrested, charged for graft

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over corruption allegations related to procurement of medical equipment worth $60 million. Moyo is accused of illegally...
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

More protest rallies were held on Friday with tens of thousands of Algerians attending as they put pressure on their 82 year old president to quit.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has remained defiant insisting he will remain in power beyond his term expiring next month.

Elections were supposed to have taken place next month to choose a new president. Bouteflika had filed to contest that election but rescinded his decision at the peak of protests.

He then called for the suspension of the elections. Many were hoping he will let go the presidency in order to restore calm to the country.

But he has not done so with citizens believing the only way to force him out is through sustained protests.

Thousands of them defied heavy rains on Friday brandished Algerian flags as they gathered in the capital Algiers.

A demonstrator told Reuters that “rain will not prevent us from continuing pressure.”

“We stay here until the whole system goes,” another protester told Reuters.

Protesters believe they will soon get what they want and Bouteflika will be gone.

No signal of an exit

But there is no clear signal the 82 year old leader wants to leave power immediately and allow for fresh elections to pick his successor.

82 year old Bouteflika is confined to the wheel chair but still wants to hold on to power.

Bouteflika is confined to a wheel-chair and medically unwell. He said in a statement this week that he hopes “that Algeria experiences, in the near future, a harmonious transition and assists handing over the reins to a new generation.”

His statement continued that “this is the ultimate goal that I have committed to making a reality before the end of my presidential journey, at your side and at your service”.

There is no clarity when his national conference to discuss political and economic reforms will take place. But Bouteflika says it would start “in the very near future”.

Bouteflika reportedly suffered stroke in 2013 and hardly makes public appearances. He has been in power for 20 years now.

 

 

 

Source: Africafeeds.com

- Advertisement -

More articles

- Advertisement -

Latest article

Nigerian High Commission apartments in Ghana demolished

Some new apartments built at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana’s capital city Accra, have been demolished by bulldozers. The apartments have been constructed to...

Covid-19: Ghana records significant recovery numbers

Ghanaian health officials on Saturday said over 10,000 persons infected with the coronavirus have now recovered. The significant number of recoveries means the country now...

DR Congo: President’s ex-chief of staff jailed 20 years for corruption

The ex-chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been jailed 20 years by a high court. Vital Kamerhe was...

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s health minister arrested, charged for graft

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over corruption allegations related to procurement of medical equipment worth $60 million. Moyo is accused of illegally...

Ghana’s new law that jails citizens not wearing facemask 10 years

Ghanaians who fail to wear the face masks in compliance with a presidential directive risk going to jail for ten years. They also face a...