Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, currently facing mass protest because of his 20-year presidential term, will run in April’s election, Bouteflika’s campaign manager has said on Sunday, adding he had also offered to step down after his one-year term if re-elected.

According to Reuters news reports, Abdelghani Zaalane has announced on Bouteflika’s behalf, saying the president has pledged to organize an early poll that would be held within a year.

The remarks are likely to be considered as an attempt to appease protesters who took to streets for about 10 days, protesting against Bouteflika’s continue terms in office.

Though, after the announcement, a fresh anti-government protest broke out in the capital late night as well as in other cities, according to TV footages and witnesses. The protests appeared to be mostly peaceful.

Bouteflika’s statement was his first since protests broke out 10 days ago. Tens of thousands of demonstration took plane throughout the day in cities across Algeria, calling on the president not to submit his candidacy application (election papers) for the April 18 polls.

“I listened and heard the passionate call from the protesters, especially the thousands of young people,” Bouteflika wrote, repeating a pledge to hold a referendum on constitutional reform.

Election commission head Abdelwahab Derbal said all candidates must submit their election paper in person, and if applied, Bouteflika could not run.

 

 

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