ALGERIA
Don’t You Believe It!
Algeria’s powerful army chief on Wednesday ordered police to seize vehicles bringing protesters into the capital, the latest measure aimed at curbing weekly demonstrations going on since February demanding a purge of the ruling elite.
The measure followed a march by thousands of students in Algiers Tuesday demanding Dec. 12 elections be delayed. They have already been postponed twice since the ouster of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April, who was in power for 20 years, Al Jazeera reported.
The protesters want political reforms and the removal of Bouteflika loyalists before any election is held.
The government has made some concessions to the protesters by arresting several high-ranking members of the establishment, but it has also cracked down on demonstrations and arrested several prominent activists.
Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaid Salah said the protesters are being led astray by “the gang” – a reference to those who held powerful positions under Bouteflika. Salah himself is a target of the protests.
Still, the army chief has emerged as the most prominent figure in the power vacuum that followed Bouteflika’s departure.
Meanwhile, students say they will continue to protest until they see reform.
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