Demonstrations in Algeria against the president's candidacy for a fifth term

ALGER, Algeria – Thousands of Algerians have taken to the streets of several cities to denounce the candidacy of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in difficulty, for a fifth term.

Security was tight Friday in the capital, Algiers, where thousands of protesters went to the Place des Martyrs in the city center. The crowd, mostly young, chanted slogans such as "No fifth term!" And "No to corruption!"

Demonstrations are rare in Algiers, where police usually prevent demonstrators from gathering.

Bouteflika, 81, announced this month that he was considering running for re-election in the April 18 presidential election, despite serious questions about his ability to sit after a stroke. occurred in 2013, which left him largely disabled. He was only seen in public a few times a year during his fourth term.

Yet, many Algerians are likely to vote for Bouteflika again, fearing his departure will lead to instability in the government.

Other demonstrations took place on Friday in Oran, the second largest city in the country, and in the northern cities of Annaba and Akbou.

In Annaba, 500 kilometers east of Algiers, hundreds of people marched in the main street with Bouteflika posters marked with a cross.

The protesters used tires and other materials to block some streets of Akbou, in Kabylie, historically hostile to the central power of Algiers.

Another demonstration is scheduled Sunday in Algiers by Mouwatana, a group gathering political parties and activists. The organizers want Bouteflika "to give up" his decision to look for a new term, particularly because of his health.

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