Security forces were heavily deployed, but there were no confrontations between them and demonstrators. “Tebboune will not govern us!” protesters shouted, vowing to keep the poll winner from taking up residence at the presidential palace. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday congratulated Tebboune on his victory, the Algerian presidency said. Tebboune is also seen as close to army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who became the country’s de facto strongman following Bouteflika’s departure. Those upscale demonstrations mostly passed off peacefully, but a rights group said Tuesday that several protesters sustained eye injuries when security forces used rubber bullets.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 17, 2019 18:33 UTC