Hundreds of Algerians took to streets in the center of the capital once again on Friday to demand transformations in the socio-political system of this country, reported France 24. The Friday protest marked the twenty-fifth consecutive Friday that the people of Algeria gathered to push for reforms and the departure of the ruling elite.
The protesters reached the outskirts of the central Place de la Grande Poste, where they shouted anti-system slogans and demanded the holding of presidential elections.
The mass protests, which began in February, forced long-serving President Bouteflika to resign on April 2 after two decades in power. The Algerian authorities’ efforts to conduct fresh elections in the country to find a new President have stalled as protest leaders claim any vote held before making changes to the political system would simply return the former regime to power.
In related news, the National Commission for Dialogue and Mediation made an appeal to interim President Abdelkader Bensalah to dismiss the government as part of the truce measures demanded by the majority of Algerians.
During a press conference on Thursday, the commission’s coordinator Karim Younes expressed his optimism in meeting the truce measures, reiterating his adherence to the demands the Commission earlier raised.
“We expect a positive reaction of the authority regarding our demands, which reflect the opinion of the majority of Algerians,” Younes said.” We are using all the available possibilities and waiting to meet the ambitions of Algerians to calm the situation.”
He said the members of the National Commission for Dialogue and Mediation do not represent the popular movement, but express themselves.
Younes added that the Wise Committee would be installed in the upcoming days and a comprehensive dialogue will be launched to reach a consensual solution to solve the crisis. the committee
“A national symposium is being prepared, following which the presidential election committee will be formed,” Younes said. “This national symposium will determine the date of this election.”
