The city of Tizi-Ouzou, located in the Kabylie region of Algeria, has been hit by a three-day general strike called in support of the popular movement demanding the departure of the current system and against the prolongation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's term. The strike, which was announced anonymously on social media, has been observed by workers in the public sector, including those in the oil and gas industry, public enterprises such as Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, and employees of the postal service, telecommunications, and public transportation.
The strike, which started after a previous five-day strike that divided public opinion, aims to avoid penalizing citizens and has spared commercial activities and transportation. Only public sector activities, including ports, railways, airports, and tax inspections, are affected by the strike. The protesters are demanding the departure of the current system and rejecting the extension of Bouteflika's term. This movement has been ongoing since February 22, with various categories of workers and professionals joining in, including lawyers, judges, firefighters, and medical professionals.
On the streets of Tizi-Ouzou, functionaries from the Equipment Directorate marched to express their rejection of the prolongation of Bouteflika's term and demand the departure of the current system. The march, which started from the Stiti Boulevard, ended at the wilaya's headquarters, with protesters chanting slogans such as "Système dégage" (Get out of the system), "Algérie libre et démocratique" (Free and democratic Algeria), and "Non à la Hogra dans les institutions publiques" (No to Hogra in public institutions).
In addition to the Equipment Directorate functionaries, foresters also joined the protest, marching through the city's streets in their uniforms. They carried signs that read "Les forestiers sont avec le mouvement populaire" (The foresters are with the popular movement) and "Pour une République démocratique et sociale comme la voulaient les martyrs" (For a democratic and social republic as the martyrs wanted). The foresters' march started from the Forest Conservation headquarters and proceeded along Abane Ramdane Boulevard.
The popular movement in Tizi-Ouzou and across Algeria has been ongoing since February 22, with citizens taking to the streets every Friday to demand change. The movement has been marked by peaceful and historic marches, as well as an "organizational corporatism" where various categories of workers and professionals have initiated their own marches. This has included lawyers, judges, firefighters, foresters, and medical professionals, in addition to students.
The strike and protests in Tizi-Ouzou are part of a broader movement against the Algerian government and President Bouteflika's potential fourth term. The protesters are demanding a change in the system and rejecting what they see as a corrupt and oppressive regime. The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight.
The protests have been marked by a high level of organization and participation, with various groups and individuals joining in. The movement has been peaceful, with no reports of major violence or clashes between protesters and security forces. The outcome of the protests and the strike remains uncertain, but it is clear that the people of Tizi-Ouzou and Algeria are demanding change.
Key points
- The strike and protests in Tizi-Ouzou are part of a broader movement against the Algerian government and President Bouteflika's potential fourth term.
- The protesters are demanding a change in the system and rejecting what they see as a corrupt and oppressive regime.
- The movement has been marked by a high level of organization and participation, with various groups and individuals joining in.
