Thousands protest in Algeria against Bouteflika's decisions and consider it an extension of his rule

Thousands demonstrated in several Algerian states yesterday, expressing their rejection of the announcement of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to desist from running for the presidential elections, and considered that an extension of his rule.

Hundreds of students gathered at the central post office in the Algerian capital and chanted slogans such as "steadfast students rejecting" and "no extension". Thousands demonstrated in the states of Skikda, Constantine, Burj Bou Arreridj, Bejaia and Oran. Some continued the general strike for the third day in public and private institutions, Others decided to continue closing their shops until their demands were met.

Critics criticized Bouteflika's decisions. In a videotape, jurists Mustafa Bouchashi said the decisions were a partial victory of the popular movement that Algeria had known three weeks ago, but the Algerian and Algerian demand was not to postpone the elections and not only to nominate the president, "I do not want to circumvent the desire of the Algerian people to go to real elections and to real democracy. I believe that the transitional phase must be under the supervision of a government ... it should be the result of broad consultations."

"Bouteflika is making fun of the people, ignorant of his demands and extending his mandate beyond April 2019. His attachment to power will drag the country into the unknown and pose a threat to the stability of the country and the unity of the nation," former communications minister Abdelaziz Rahabi wrote in his Facebook account. .

"Bouteflika is attacking the constitution again," MP Othman Maazouz said. "The president's mandate must be extended only in one case: the state of war."

Algerian Deputy Prime Minister Ramtan Lamamra said Bouteflika's decision not to run for a fifth term was the most important turning point in the country since independence from France in 1962. He said an efficient government would be formed, which would have the confidence of the participants in the national symposium to oversee the presidential process. .

A senior government official said that the veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi will chair a conference on the political future of the country proposed by Bouteflika, adding that the conference will include representatives of the demonstrators, as well as figures who played a prominent role in the war of independence, 1954 to 1962.

Bouteflika, the day after his return from a treatment trip in Switzerland, announced that he was running for a fifth term, while postponing the presidential election scheduled for April 18 indefinitely. Bouteflika extended his term de facto.

Bouteflika said in a written speech to the Algerian people: "There will be no presidential election on April 18 next, and the purpose is to respond to the urgent request you have made to me," pointing out that the presidential elections will be organized after the national symposium of the independent university, and pledged to hand over the functions of the President of the Republic, The Algerian people will choose it freely.