Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Algeria's capital Friday March 29,2019 demanding the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Security forces fired water cannons in an attempt to disperse the huge crowds that gathered in Algiers during the sixth consecutive day of marches in the city.
Protesters are calling for the 81-year-old leader to relinquish power under a provision in the constitution stating that if the health of the president does not allow him to carry out his function, then the office is to be declared vacant.
It is widely believed in Algeria that Bouteflika is incapacitated by illness and has left the reins of the country in the hands of a civilian-military elite.
Article 102 stipulates that in the case of the president's inability to carry out his duties due to a serious or chronic illness, the head of the national assembly should take his place for a period of no more than 45 days.
Bouteflika, who was elected in 1999, suffered a stroke in 2013 and has rarely been seen in public since then. He announced his intention to seek a fifth term February 10 in a statement published by the state news agency.
The move sparked anger on Algerian streets and ignited a countrywide string of protests.
After weeks of demonstrations against his candidacy, it was announced on March 11 that Bouteflika will not seek a fifth term in office and the April 18 elections would be postponed.
No comments:
Post a Comment