Thousands of protesters marched through Algeria‘s capital Friday against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term, the largest demonstrations in years.
Police helicopters circled overhead as protesters gathered in streets and parks of Algiers after midday Muslim prayer services.
Riot police vans lined the boulevard leading to the presidential headquarters and deployed around the march route.
Security forces fired tear gas at protesters in the Belcourt neighbourhood on the city’s Mediterranean shore.
Protesters hoped the demonstration would send a loud signal of public discontent to the gas-rich North African country’s secretive leadership before the April 18 presidential election.
“Look at the Algerian youth, all it is demanding is a valid president who can talk to the people,” Hamdane Salim, a 45-year-old public sector worker, said.
Among the crowd was Djamila Bouhired, 83, a heroine of the 1954-1962 independence war against France, who told reporters: “I’m happy to be here.”
There were also demonstrations in other cities such as Oran, Constantine, Setif, Tizi Ouzou and Bouira drawing in thousands, according to residents.
Since last Friday thousands have taken part in anti-government protests seldom seen in the country.
Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and has rarely appeared in public since then. The ailing leader has also not given any known speeches since he suffered the stroke.
‘Overthrow the regime’
For years, many Algerians have avoided public political activity fearing trouble from the omnipresent security services or becoming disillusioned as the country has been run by the same group of veterans since the 1954-1962 independence war with France.
There appeared to be few such inhibitions on Friday.
“People want to overthrow the regime,” some chanted, using a slogan from the 2011 Arab Spring turmoil which toppled leaders in Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia.
Bouteflika himself has ruled Algeria since 1999 and stamped out a decade-long rebellion early in his rule.
Many Algerians have long tolerated a political system with little space for dissent as a price to pay for peace and stability.
But the new protest waves appear to have broken the long taboo on public discussion of politics.
Bouteflika’s opponents say there is no evidence he is fit enough to lead the country and allege it is being ruled in his name by advisers. Authorities say he retains a firm grip on public affairs despite the rarity of his appearances.
A weak and divided opposition faces high hurdles in mounting an electoral challenge. Since the long-ruling FLN party again picked Bouteflika as its presidential candidate, several parties, trade unions and business groups have endorsed him.
Lower oil prices in recent years have damaged Algeria’s economy, rekindling discontent.
