For the 47th consecutive week, thousands of demonstrators marched Friday, January 10 in Algiers against the regime. A week after the announcement of the composition of a new government, they were just as motivated, although fewer in number than during the last spectacular mobilizations, shortly before the presidential election in December 2019.
Nearly a year after the outbreak of "Hirak", an unprecedented popular movement challenging the regime, opponents continue to demand the dismantling of the "system" and the departure of its representatives, in power since the country's independence in 1962 .
If the mobilization remains significant, it seems to mark time compared to the monster demonstrations of winter and spring 2019 - which had forced ex-president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign - or even compared to the marches which accompanied the electoral campaign leading in the presidential election of December 12. This was rejected by the "Hirak".
However, it remains impossible to accurately assess the number of demonstrators in the absence of any official count.
The crowd marched calmly, in a light rain, chanting "Civil status and not military" or "Generals in the trash", addressed to the high military hierarchy, real authority in power in Algeria. Some streets in the city center were cross-checked by the police.
"Either it is you or it is us, we are not going to stop," promised the demonstrators, who displayed a giant banner on which were painted portraits of people imprisoned for their activities related to "Hirak" .
'Hirak' detainees released
Some 76 people detained because of their proximity to the protest movement - awaiting trial or already sentenced - were released on January 2, the majority in Algiers.
These releases represent around half of the approximately 140 "Hirak detainees" counted before this measure by the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees (CNLD), which identifies and supports them.
"Algerians continue to demonstrate against the regime because they understand that it is the only way to force change," citizen Ouheb Hamidi testified to AFP, a week after announcing the composition of the new government. by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Mr. Hamidi, a 38-year-old finance consultant, predicts a "new lease of life" for "Hirak" which he says will be "long-term". "President Tebboune was appointed and not elected after an election that was massively boycotted by the people. We do not recognize their legitimacy," added Mohamed Halzoum, 63.
Former Prime Minister of President Bouteflika, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 74, was elected president on December 12 in a vote marked by record abstention.
Two hours before the start of Friday's march, police, including some armed with batons, charged a group of several dozen people chanting anti-regime slogans in central Algiers, according to an AFP journalist on the spot.
They were then chased by the police, massively deployed in the heart of the capital, especially around the Grande Poste, a symbolic gathering place for the "Hirak". Several people were arrested, according to witnesses.
"The 'Hirak' must continue because we have no rulers. This Tebboune has been appointed and not chosen by the people," Farida Loukam told AFP shortly after being violently shoved, police officers trying to attack him tear off his banner.
"The 'Hirak' must continue until the total departure of the 'Issaba' (gang), these traitors who sold the country and compromised the future of our youth," said the protester.
With AFP
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