Thousands demonstrated in Algiers yesterday against the presidential elections slated for December 12th, while the Algerian army chief of staff, Ahmed Kayed Saleh, reiterated that the elections would be held on time. He is running. ”
Around 3,000 students marched from Martyrs Square in central Algiers and were joined by Algerian nationals from other categories as they passed through Larbi Ben Mhidi to Mauritania Square after police prevented them from reaching the central post square, the crossroads of demonstrations since they began on 22 February.
The demonstrators chanted slogans opposing the presidential elections to succeed Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned at the beginning of last April, under the pressure of the street and the army. "They demanded the departure of all the symbols of the regime that Bouteflika appointed within 20 years of his rule. Protesters considered that the media" became more subject to power than ever before, "shouting slogans" Free your pens. " Despite this rejection, the authority is continuing to prepare the elections, and the Algerian army chief of staff, Ahmed Kayed Saleh, reiterated that «the elections will be held on time, and those who wanted to measure its true value to come to the people and run, but otherwise will remain nonsense and has no value at all »According to a statement published by the Ministry of Defense website, he added:« We will take the necessary measures in the name of the law in a timely manner, and will not allow free Algeria to tamper with the fate of the nation, who tries to block the course of the elections has been wronged himself because the people made their decisions ».
He continued: «the military does not speak out of the blue, but talk about the data implication of the gang, this gang does not have the right to think, and the parties that are driven by the planning», as described.
Ali Benflis and Abdelmajid Teboun, both heads of government under Bouteflika, announced their candidacy for the presidential elections, while the Movement of Society for Peace decided not to submit a candidate.