Algeria: Protests against government enter 16th consecutive week

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Algiers on Friday for the 16th consecutive week to protest against Algeria’s interim government and demand a total change in the country’s ruling system.

According to reports, interim president Abdelkader Bensalah made a statement on state television on Thursday calling on people to join an “inclusive dialogue” aimed at solving the crisis in the country.

He also reportedly promised to set a new date for the elections after the previous plan to hold the voting on July 4th was cancelled.

The protesters reject the proposal as they do not accept elections organised by the current ruling system.

The protests in Algeria erupted in February, as the country’s long-term president, 82-year-old Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was expected to announce his candidacy for a fifth term.

The nationwide demonstrations ultimately prompted Bouteflika to resign on April 2.

One week later, Algeria’s parliament appointed Abdelkader Bensaleh as the country’s interim-president for the next 90 days.