Algerians continue with their anti-government protests even after removal of the long-term ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from the president’s post. Bouteflika bowed to the pressure and resigned last week after two decades in power following mass protests.
Soon after Algeria’s parliament named upper house speaker Abdelkader Bensalah as the country’s interim president. After his appointment as the President, Bensalah announced July 4 as the date for the country’s presidential election.
But, the people of Algeria doubt the credibility of the upcoming elections as they believe the July election is a government ploy to stay in power. They are demanding the removal of the elite that has governed Algeria since independence from France in 1962 and the prosecution of what they see as corrupt figures. Benshala’s appointment failed to meet the demands of demonstrators, so, hundreds of thousands reportedly marched in Algiers on Friday.
“No to Bensalah,” the protesters chanted as they marched peacefully in the center of Algiers, reported BBC.
According to the witnesses, the people were seen holding banners that read “We want the prosecution of all corrupt people” and “no to the gang”, while some of them waved Algeria’s white, green and red crescent moon flag.
“The appointment of Bensalah is a great violation of the will of the Algerian people,” one of the protesters said. “He wants to summon the electorate? What elections does he want? We don’t agree, we don’t agree! Bensalah was told to leave and not to govern us. I can’t even watch it on TV, I feel disgusted.”
Notably, the 77-year-old Interim president, who will be in office for a 90-day period, is barred under the constitution from running in the upcoming election.
Earlier this week, Algeria’s army chief, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah, said he wants to see members of the ruling elite close to Bouteflika prosecuted for corruption and said he would support a transition toward elections.
