ALGIERS (Reuters) – The Algerian government on Sunday announced restrictions on the weekly protests that have continued since toppling the country’s veteran president two years ago, a move seen by critics as part of official attempts to ban demonstrations.
Tens of thousands of people have taken part in weekly street marches from February 2019 until the coronavirus hit the North African country in early 2020.
The demonstrations resumed early this year, with the same demands for political and economic reforms, as well as the removal of the entire ruling elite.
“It should be recalled that organisers must declare the names of those responsible for organising the march, the start and the end of the march, its route and slogans,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
“Failure to comply with these procedures will result in violating the law and constitution, which denies the legitimacy of the march, and it will be necessary to deal with it on this basis.”
The restrictions are in line with a clause in a new constitution approved by Algerian voters in November last year that requires organisers to give advance information before the start of demonstrations.
Some protesters believe the restrictions are part of government attempts to end all street marches.
“They are seeking reasons to justify any decision to ban marches,” said Ahmed Badili, a member of the leaderless protest movement known as Hirak.
The restrictions come ahead of early legislative elections on June 12 that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune vowed would be fair and transparent.
Elected in December 2020 to succeed Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was forced out by protesters in early 2019, Tebboune has pledged to carry out reforms and meet demonstrators’ demands.
(Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; Editing by Giles Elgood)
