
Audio By Carbonatix
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Algerian capital, Algiers, in protest at the results of Thursday's presidential election.They chanted slogans against the winner, ex-PM Abdelmadjid Tebboune, a former loyalist of ousted leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.Protesters are demanding that the whole political establishment be swept away.Polling day itself was marred by protests and calls for people to boycott the election.Mr Tebboune, 74, took 58% of the vote - enough to avoid a second round. But he and the four other candidates were criticised for being closely linked with the rule of Mr Bouteflika.President Bouteflika stepped down following mass demonstrations across the country.But anti-government rallies have continued since then unabated."The vote is rigged. Your elections are of no concern to us and your president will not govern us," demonstrators chanted in central Algiers on Friday."Tebboune is worse than Bouteflika," said one of the protesters, Meriem, a 31-year-old civil servant. "We did not vote and we will not back down."
Abdelmadjid Tebboune served as housing minister under Mr Bouteflika and then briefly as PM
Supporters of Abdelmadjid Tebboune celebrated his victory in Algiers on FridayMr Tebboune rose from a long career as a civil servant to become prime minister in 2017 but lasted just seven months after falling out with influential businessmen. He also served as housing minister and information minister.In his election campaign he promised to pursue taxpayer money "stolen and hidden abroad".Mr Tebboune has been dubbed "the chosen one" by social media users, who see him as close to army chief Gen Ahmed Gaid Salah, the county's de facto leader.
Protesters on Thursday called for the election to be boycottedElectoral officials say about nine million people voted on Thursday - a turnout of about 40%."The turnout is satisfying and it will give the new president enough backing to implement his reforms," said Ahmed Mizab, a commentator on state television.
Algeria election: Five things to knowThey wanted all officials associated with the regime of ousted President Bouteflika. including interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Nouredine Bedoui, to be removed from office."No election with the gangs", "they must all be removed" protesters have chanted week after week, referring to the politicians and businessmen in the inner circle of the ousted president whom they see as corrupt.They say new faces must be brought in to organise "real elections" in a country where the winner of presidential elections has always been easy to guess.On Thursday, protesters briefly overran a polling station in Algiers. An attempt by police to disperse the crowd failed.Two more voting centres were stormed in the Kabylie region, east of the capital.What has changed since Bouteflika left?It was army chief Gen Salah who triggered the removal of President Bouteflika, his former ally, when he called for his office to be vacated. The move was designed to appease nationwide protests against Mr Bouteflika seeking a fifth term.Since Mr Bouteflika's ousting in April, there have been sweeping arrests of wealthy businessmen and high-profile officials close to the former president and his inner circle.They include his brother Saïd Bouteflika who was jailed for 15 years for conspiring against the state and undermining the military, along with former intelligence chiefs Mohamed Mediene Toufik and Athmane Bachir Tartag, as well as leftist party leader Louisa Hanoun.
Said Bouteflika, pictured in 2012, was widely seen as the real power behind the presidencyCorruption and money laundering convictions have also landed two former prime ministers in jail - Ahmed Ouyahia was given a 15-year sentence, and Abdelmalek Sellal 12 years.On the same charges, former cabinet ministers Youcef Yousfi and Mahdjoub Bedda have each been handed 10-year sentences, while businessmen Ali Haddad, Ahmed Mazouz, Hassan Arbaoui and Mohamed Bairi were each jailed for seven years.An international arrest warrant has been issued against another cabinet minister, Abdesalem Bouchoureb, who is believed to have fled the country. He has been sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison.It is likely these men will appeal against their sentences.While anti-government protesters have celebrated the prosecution of such figures - whom they dub "the gang" - they remain determined to continue until their demands are met.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune served as housing minister under Mr Bouteflika and then briefly as PM
Supporters of Abdelmadjid Tebboune celebrated his victory in Algiers on FridayMr Tebboune rose from a long career as a civil servant to become prime minister in 2017 but lasted just seven months after falling out with influential businessmen. He also served as housing minister and information minister.In his election campaign he promised to pursue taxpayer money "stolen and hidden abroad".Mr Tebboune has been dubbed "the chosen one" by social media users, who see him as close to army chief Gen Ahmed Gaid Salah, the county's de facto leader.
Protesters on Thursday called for the election to be boycottedElectoral officials say about nine million people voted on Thursday - a turnout of about 40%."The turnout is satisfying and it will give the new president enough backing to implement his reforms," said Ahmed Mizab, a commentator on state television.Why are people protesting?
For nearly a year, thousands of Algerians have protested every Friday in the capital and other cities against any elections under the current government.
Algeria election: Five things to knowThey wanted all officials associated with the regime of ousted President Bouteflika. including interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Nouredine Bedoui, to be removed from office."No election with the gangs", "they must all be removed" protesters have chanted week after week, referring to the politicians and businessmen in the inner circle of the ousted president whom they see as corrupt.They say new faces must be brought in to organise "real elections" in a country where the winner of presidential elections has always been easy to guess.On Thursday, protesters briefly overran a polling station in Algiers. An attempt by police to disperse the crowd failed.Two more voting centres were stormed in the Kabylie region, east of the capital.What has changed since Bouteflika left?It was army chief Gen Salah who triggered the removal of President Bouteflika, his former ally, when he called for his office to be vacated. The move was designed to appease nationwide protests against Mr Bouteflika seeking a fifth term.Since Mr Bouteflika's ousting in April, there have been sweeping arrests of wealthy businessmen and high-profile officials close to the former president and his inner circle.They include his brother Saïd Bouteflika who was jailed for 15 years for conspiring against the state and undermining the military, along with former intelligence chiefs Mohamed Mediene Toufik and Athmane Bachir Tartag, as well as leftist party leader Louisa Hanoun.
Said Bouteflika, pictured in 2012, was widely seen as the real power behind the presidencyCorruption and money laundering convictions have also landed two former prime ministers in jail - Ahmed Ouyahia was given a 15-year sentence, and Abdelmalek Sellal 12 years.On the same charges, former cabinet ministers Youcef Yousfi and Mahdjoub Bedda have each been handed 10-year sentences, while businessmen Ali Haddad, Ahmed Mazouz, Hassan Arbaoui and Mohamed Bairi were each jailed for seven years.An international arrest warrant has been issued against another cabinet minister, Abdesalem Bouchoureb, who is believed to have fled the country. He has been sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison.It is likely these men will appeal against their sentences.While anti-government protesters have celebrated the prosecution of such figures - whom they dub "the gang" - they remain determined to continue until their demands are met.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Wa West Picnic: Peter Lanchene Toobu champions peace, health and unity in landmark celebration
2 minutes -
Dr Mensah Market flooded after downpour in Kumasi
10 minutes -
Armed men reportedly storm Adjen Kotoku Onion Market amid tensions
1 hour -
Tecco Mensah writes: Why football fans must look beyond statistics
2 hours -
Police recover stolen Honda CR-V in Kumasi within 48 hours
2 hours -
Apetorku Gbodzi 2026 Festival opens in Dagbamete with development focus
3 hours -
President Mahama arrives in Lyon to co-chair One Health Summit
3 hours -
Beverly View Plus Hotel draws crowds amid coastal Easter rush in Volta
3 hours -
Maiden Zongo Festival held in Wa amid calls to tackle drug abuse among the youth
3 hours -
FDA warns of fake HIV test kits on Ghanaian market
4 hours -
Africa urged to build resilient health systems as donor support tightens
4 hours -
Easter gesture: Ablakwa settles medical bills for 85 North Tongu constituents
5 hours -
Africa must harness its population strength—Titus-Glover
6 hours -
Visa-free access doesn’t mean unlimited stay – Lom Ahlijah
6 hours -
From Golgotha to Kwahu: The Easter Migration of the Faithful and the Faithless
7 hours