New demonstration in Paris against the Algerian power

Draped in the Algerian flag, or sometimes Berber, Algerians and French of Algerian origin gathered in numbers Sunday in Paris for the ninth consecutive week to say "clear" to the regime in place in Algiers.

In unison Algerians who, on the other side of the Mediterranean, have massively demonstrated since February, the Algerian diaspora of Paris finds itself spontaneously every weekend in the Place de la Republique, often in the thousands. The movement has grown since the first call on social networks to oppose a fifth term for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

A mobilization that remains strong

In this long weekend of three days in France, the crowd is a little less compact than other times, but the mobilization remains strong. Neither the resignation of President Bouteflika, nor the announcement of a presidential election on July 4 to designate his successor, have begun the determination of the participants. "We did not get anything, only part of it, we are waiting for Ahmed Gaïd Salah to let us go too," said a protester.

10th meeting of Algerians in Paris place of the Republic this Sunday, April 21, 2019 # Algerie_manifestation # Algeriepic.twitter.com / fLHCOlgLNv

General Salah become the strongman of Algeria

The transition process is supported by the army, placed in the center of the political game and whose chief of staff, General Ahmed Gaïd Salah is de facto the strongman of Algeria. Political parties, inaudible, are marginalized by the challenge. On the monument to the Republic, a banner calls for "a second citizen Republic, civil, democratic and modern", refusing "autocracy", "theocracy" or "gerontocracy". "Clear the system, get your luggage before the storm, by boat or swimming," says another sign brandished near improvised speakers speaking in Arabic, whose voices are sometimes covered by a group of singers and musicians next door .

Republic Square: the drums sound the beginning of the demonstration of support for the Algerian people # Algeria # Parispic.twitter.com / skKybBAEsP

"Until they leave"

In the sun-drenched square, between vendors of drinks, flags and Algerian t-shirts, sonos were installed. Here and there, a man dances, Berber women in traditional dress are chatting. "We will keep coming until they leave," says Zined, who has been faithful to the Sunday protests since the beginning of the movement, with one exception. This woman, "Kabyle but first Algerian", arrived at the age of 9 in France and now retired, is said "optimistic". "I was not in November when I went back to Algeria, I was disgusted, my friends there dared not say anything, they had a sword of Damocles over them," he said. she.

In Marseille too, hundreds of people demonstrated

Some 200 people also demonstrated in Marseille, in the Southeast, at the call of the Collective for a democratic and social alternative in Algeria and the association Mon Algeria Marseille. About 760,000 Algerian immigrants live in France, according to the French National Institute of Statistics (INSEE). They are 1.7 million if we add their children born in France.