Mass protests in Algeria against President Bouteflika

Hundreds of Algerians took to the streets of the capital on Friday to demand President Abdelaziz Bouteflika quit immediately, as mass protests against the veteran leader entered the fourth week.

The last two Fridays, the Muslim day of prayer, has seen record numbers of protesters hit the streets of Algiers.

Security sources have cited demonstrations in 40 out of the North African country’s 48 provinces, while foreign diplomats say “millions” of Algerians have rallied against Bouteflika extending his two-decade rule.

Bouteflika said on 22 February he would run for a fifth term in 18 April elections, despite concerns about his ability to rule.

The 82-year-old uses a wheelchair and has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.

Following initial protests, he made the surprise announcement on 11 March that he was pulling out of the race - but postponed the poll.

Protesters initially greeted the move with elation but staged further mass demonstrations after they realized he intended to remain in office.

Organizers have used social media this week to call for further protests against Bouteflika and those around him.

Forecasts of bad weather did not appear to dampen the determination of organizers, who encouraged protesters to bring along umbrellas adorned with the national flag.

The demonstrations, unprecedented since Bouteflika won the first term in 1999, have remained largely peaceful.

The government has responded with promises of political and constitutional reform.

Authorities have pledged to hold a “national conference” to discuss reforms, followed by a referendum on a new constitution and eventually the election of a new president.

Deputy prime minister Ramtane Lamamra on Tuesday promised “open and transparent” steps to resolve the country’s political crisis, as Algeria’s ally Russia backed his government’s plans.

He said the national conference would decide the date of future elections and that Bouteflika was “ready to fully transfer his powers” to a new president.

But students, professors, medics, lawyers and magistrates have continued to protest this week and cracks have emerged within Bouteflika’s own regime.

His National Liberation Front party said Wednesday it supports protesters’ calls for change, while the main trade union confederation and business organization have been hit by dissent and resignations over their leadership’s initial support of Bouteflika.