Thousands of Algerians came out on the streets for anti-government protests in cities across Algeria on Friday, marking the revival of their weekly pro-democracy demonstrations after a yearlong hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, reported Africa News.
Protesters in Algiers rallied for the second time this week despite a ban on large gatherings over fears of COVID-19.
“It’s awesome. It’s like the big Friday Hirak protests,” one of the demonstrators said.
The protestors chanted slogans and carried flags and banners as they marched toward the city center after Friday prayers. The security forces fired tear gas and using truncheons when a crowd forced its way through a police barrier to reach the Grand Post Office, the main Algiers rallying point of the Hirak protests.
Algerians came out on the streets in similar protests on Monday, marking the anniversary of the Hirak protests that began in February 2019 against the then-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term. The long-time leader was forced from power in April that year.
Even after Bouteflika’s resignation, the people of Algeria continued with the weekly protests demanding a sweeping overhaul of a ruling system in place since Algeria’s independence from France in 1962. But, the government forced the protestors to suspend the protests last March due to coronavirus restrictions.
However, calls have recently circulated on social media for a return to the streets. The rallying calls urged Algerians to wear masks at the protests after many during the Monday demonstration were seen without them. Many people still went unmasked on Friday.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who was elected in December 2019 in a poll boycotted by the protest movement, has vowed to meet all the demands of the protestors.
On the eve of the Hirak anniversary on Monday, he announced a limited government reshuffle and signed a decree dissolving parliament, clearing the way for early elections in the country.
