A pro-democracy movement led to the removal of Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, born 1937, from office in 2019. Bouteflika first came to power in 1999. Despite being ill and confined to a wheelchair he wanted to remain President. The victory of the activists was short-lived as the old guard soon made sure to thwart the democratic process following Bouteflika’s departure. The persisting demonstrations and calls for democratisation have since been met with a bloody crackdown. Now the pro-democracy movement has shifted from the capital and other major cities to the restive Kabylie region. This article is published by North Africa Post. Here is an excerpt:
Epicenter of Algeria’s pro-democracy protests moves to Kabylie region on back of crackdown
The brutal crackdown and siege imposed on the capital pushed Algeria’s pro-democracy activists to center their protests in the restive Kabylie region, known for its long-history of dissent and oppression by a military junta.
Some areas in the Kabylie region have seen a turnout in the recent elections close to zero. Nationally turnout was at 30% the lowest in 20 years.
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