By RFIPalled on 08-03-2019Modified on 08-03-2019 at 19:33

Hundreds of thousands of protesters once again peacefully descended on the streets of Algiers, Oran and Constantine on Friday to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to run for a fifth term. Much higher than the demonstrations of the last two Fridays in Algiers, the mobilization is difficult to quantify, the authorities giving no assessment of the number of protesters.

The squares and main streets of central Algiers were crowded with people and the procession struggled to advance because of the crowd. Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters who were trying to force a cordon of police blocking access to an artery going back to the presidency of the Republic. No other significant incidents were reported, however, and the event was held in a festive atmosphere.

In Oran and Constantine, respectively second and third cities of the country, the mobilization was also much higher than that of the two preceding Fridays. Large-scale demonstrations were also reported in Oued Souf, Tizi-Ouzou, Skikda and Bejaia, spontaneous marches initiated by anonymous citizens on social networks.

The profiles of the protesters are extremely varied. According to the testimonies collected by RFI, many young people were present, also not so young, men, children and also many women. Friday's rallies coincide with International Women's Rights Day. In Algiers, feminist activists were also at the rendezvous, as Thinehinane Makaci, spokesperson for the feminist association Tharwa N'Fadhma N'Soumeur: " Of course, the slogans anti-5th mandate and anti-system are eminently present because it is about a national cause. But the feminist claim is present because feminist associations are there with slogans particularly against the Family Code, which today condemns Algerian women to be citizens under reserve. There is also the demand of women for work, the demand of women for recognition as full-fledged citizens eminently present in the streets of Algiers today. "

Abdelaziz Bouteflika increasingly isolated

Members of the FLN, the presidential party that has ruled Algeria since independence in 1962, have also joined the protest. They announced their resignation from the party. The information was revealed by the private television channel Echorouk TV. On Wednesday already, several party leaders had distinguished themselves by marching alongside protesters. Mayor FLN of Constantine also demonstrated in his city.

Increasingly isolated, Abdelaziz Bouteflika has lost several supports that were traditionally acquired. There was initially a wave of resignations in the Forum of entrepreneurs, an employers' organization led by Ali Haddad, deemed close to the head of state. Then came the message of the powerful National Mujahideen Organization, a group of veterans of the war of independence, who believes that the Algerian institutions " are not up to the aspirations of the people . "

Lastly, several branches of the General Union of Algerian Workers, a union traditionally in power, have distinguished themselves from the boss of the plant by also providing support to the protesters.

On the opposition side, several parties and personalities gathered in Algiers on Thursday at the headquarters of the party of Ali Benflis, former Prime Minister Abdelaziz Bouteflika become one of his biggest political opponents. The participants agreed on a postponement of the presidential election scheduled for 18 April. One question remains: should they negotiate with power or not? On this point, the opposition remains divided for the moment.

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