Algerians taking to the streets for their sixth straight Friday of protests aren’t just angry at their ailing president, they want to bring down the entire political system that has sustained him. (Anis Belghoul/Associated Press)ALGIERS, Algeria — Algerians took to the streets by the millions for the sixth straight Friday of nationwide protests, trying to push their ailing president from power and bring down an entire political system seen as corrupt and out of touch. It also reflected the changing balance of power within the ruling class as President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82 and ailing after a 2013 stroke, loses key supporters. The protests have turned the tables on the elite power structure, but it remained unclear what lies ahead. One sign accused the political elite of being “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves.” Another read “Not Moscow, Not Paris, Not Washington - The Choice should be Algerian,” in reference to concerns of foreign interference in the crisis.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 29, 2019 09:58 UTC