Similar protests were reported in other cities across the North African country overnight. And ‘we’ are a people 42-million strong,” said Karim, a 22-year-old unemployed man who declined to give his surname. Liberte newspaper said Bouteflika’s promises to serve a shorter term were merely a “manoeuvre” to placate the people “until he takes charge again”. Zaalane claimed that Bouteflika — who has ruled since 1999 — had the backing of 19,700 national and local elected representatives and of 5.86 million voters. Similar rallies took place in several cities across the oil-rich North African country and as far as France and Montreal in Canada.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 04, 2019 12:33 UTC