Protests and strikes demanding the new ‘transitional’ president Abdelkader Bensalah follow Bouteflika out of office are gathering pace across Algeria. On the railways, in the ports, government offices, schools, universities and across large swathes of manufacturing, workers are walking out or going into occupation in solidarity with the continuing demonstrations in major cities demanding that…
As Algerians celebrate the departure of Abdelaziz Bouteflika after 20 years in power, following the announcement of his resignation on 2 April, Middle East Solidarity spoke to Algerian human rights activist Rachid Aouine about what’s next for the mass popular movement. “Algerians know very well that Bouteflika wasn’t really the one in charge, he was…
For the sixth week in a row, hundreds of Algerian activists from around the UK joined lively protests in central London in solidarity with the unfolding mass movement in Algeria. After rallying at Marble Arch, they marched down Oxford Street flanked by a convoy of mopeds carrying banners and Algerian flags. Crisis has gripped the…
Around 400 Algerians joined a lively protest in Trafalgar Square on 16 March in solidarity with the mass movement in Algeria which is demanding an end to Bouteflika’s rule. Waving flags and chanting, the protesters gathered in front of the National Gallery. “Dear USA, there is no oil left so stay away unless you want…
In issue 7 of Middle East Solidarity, Gianni Del Panta wrote a prescient analysis of the rising tide of strikes and demonstrations in Algeria. As a storm of protest now threatens to engulf Bouteflika’s regime, he explores the main currents in the new movement. Over the last two weeks, Algeria has been rocked by a…
First published in Issue 7 of Middle East Solidarity (Autumn 2017). A major strike in October 2016 by workers in state-owned heavy industries has to be understood in the context of a much wider social rebellion, writes Gianni Del Panta On 31 October 2016 workers began an open-ended strike at the huge state-owned factory in…
From the Algeria Solidarity Campaign ONE YEAR AFTER the inspiring events of the “Arab Spring” that swept away western-backed dictators, the Algerian authoritarian regime -still in place- is desperately calling for the Algerian people to go and participate massively in the up-coming electoral masquerade on May 10th. At the same time, this indifferent and disdainful…
