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Sunday, March 3, 2019

Algeria braced for major protests as ailing President nears election deadline

Protesters have already sparked one of the nation's largest displays of public dissent since its war of independence from France ended in 1962, filling several streets in the capital Algiers and demanding that the 82-year-old leader withdraw his name from next month's election.
But action is expected to escalate ahead of the Sunday evening deadline for Bouteflika -- who suffered a stroke in 2013 and has rarely been seen in public since -- to formally declare his candidacy.
It is widely believed that the President is largely incapacitated, leaving the reins of the country in the hands of a military and civilian elite.
Bouteflika has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.
He nonetheless seemed to step up preparations for another run by replacing his long-time campaign manager on Saturday, according to state news agency Algérie Presse Service (APS).
Police vans and anti-riot vehicles surrounded government buildings in Algiers on Sunday morning ahead of the anticipated demonstrations.
At least one man died and 183 people were injured in earlier action on Friday, the Minister of Health, Population and Hospital Reform said.
Security forces fired tear gas at activists during the demonstration, during which some protesters called for the April presidential elections to be called off altogether and for parliament to be dissolved to make the way for a new government.
Activists chanted, "Republic, not monarchy," and "No to the fifth mandate," among other slogans rejecting the continuation of Bouteflika's term on Friday. Some placards read "leave means leave."
Video on social media showed protesters this week setting pictures of Bouteflika on fire amid whistles and cheers -- scenes that are uncommon in a country tightly controlled by security services.

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