Algiers, Feb 22, 2019 – Several hundred demonstrators, in defiance of a ban on protests, rallied in the Algerian capital Friday against a bid by ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a fifth term, an AFP correspondent said. “No fifth mandate,” chanted the mostly young demonstrators, many waving Algerian flags, as they started to march through central Algiers without police intervening despite a heavy deployment and a helicopter hovering overhead. “Ouyahia, get out!” they also cried around the capital’s landmark Grand Post Office, referring to Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia. An official ban on demonstrations in Algiers was imposed in 2001. His office announced Thursday that Bouteflika, who has been in power since 1999, will travel to Switzerland for “routine medical checks” ahead of the April 18 election.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 22, 2019 15:45 UTC