Algeria protest leaders tell army to stay out of politics

Thousands of students, university professors and health workers rallied in Algiers on Tuesday (March 19), calling for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to quit, and a new group headed by activists and opposition figures told the army not to interfere, Reuters reported.

A new group headed by political leaders, opposition figures and activists called on Monday Algeria’s powerful generals to stay out of politics as it pressed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the government to quit.

In the first direct message to the army from leaders emerging from mass protests against Bouteflika, the National Coordination for Change said the military should “play its constitutional role without interfering in the people choice”.

Generals have traditionally wielded power from behind the scenes in Algeria but have stepped in during pivotal moments.

In a statement titled “Platform of Change” and issued late on Monday, the organization demanded the Bouteflika should step down before the end of his term on April 28 and the government resign immediately.

Algerian authorities have always been adept at manipulating a weak and disorganised opposition.

But more than three weeks of demonstrations - which peaked on Friday with hundreds of thousands of people on the streets of Algiers - have emboldened well-known figures to lead the drive for reforms in the North African country.