Algeria: Ongoing student protests across the country May 21 /update 5

Event

Thousands of Algerian students are demonstrating across the country on Tuesday, May 21, to demand the cancelation of the presidential elections set to take place on Thursday, July 4, as well as the implementation of transitional bodies and the departure of government officials associated with the administration of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, including interim President Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui.

In Algiers, protesters gathered at La Grande Poste in the morning (local time) before attempting to head to the Government Palace where they were stopped by police forces using tear gas. Related demonstrations were also reported in Constantine, Oran, Béjaïa, Bouïra, Sidi Bel Abbès, Boumerdès, and Tizi Ouzou.

Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are likely around protest sites and clashes between security forces and demonstrators cannot be ruled out. Similar protests are to be expected in Algiers and other Algerian cities over the coming weeks.

Context

Bouteflika resigned as president on April 2 following weeks of protests sparked by his intention to run for a fifth term. A caretaker government was approved on March 31, though protesters have vowed to continue to hold demonstrations until elections are held on July 4.

Advice

Individuals in Algeria are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and anticipate a heightened security presence and localized business and transportation disruptions near demonstration sites.