In 100s, teachers, students in Algeria protest Bouteflika rule
Hundreds of school teachers and students have protested in the Algerian capital amid fears that incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika plans to extend his decades-long rule.
Bouteflika has said he decides to delay next month’s election, but the angry protesters on Wednesday gathered in central Algiers, demanding that Bouteflika step down now or at the latest when his current term ends next month.
"It's about the future of our children."
"No to the extension of a fourth term!"
Those were among slogans written on banners that the demonstrators carried.
Driss, a teacher at a high school in the capital, said, "It's important that we teachers mobilize."
Local Algerian media reported similar protests in other cities.
In recent days, schools in Algeria have been hit by a partial strike. University students have been at the forefront of the protest movement, in a country where many young people have never known any president other than Bouteflika.
On Monday, Bouteflika abandoned a decision to seek a fifth term in the face of weeks of mass rallies. He also cancelled the upcoming election without setting a new date.
After initial celebration following Bouteflika's announcement, protesters returned to the streets Tuesday, accusing the president of playing "tricks."
Algerians have barely seen their ailing 82-year-old president since he suffered a stroke in 2013, and demonstrators are also angry about corruption and secrecy in Algeria’s power structure.
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