Pro-democracy activists have declared Saturday, Feb. 12, “Day 1” of the Algerian Revolution against the regime of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The ctivists have defied a ban against public political gatherings and called a march in Algiers today in which thousands are expected to participate.
In response, the regime has brought 30,000 police officers into Algiers. Hundreds of armored vehicles are parked at key intersections of the capital.
(Bloomberg) — The Coordination for Democratic Change in Algeria, an umbrella group of human rights activists, unionists, lawyers and others, insists the march will take place despite numerous warnings by authorities to stay out of the streets. Buses and vans filled with armed police were posted at strategic points along the march route and around Algiers, including at the “Maison de la Presse,” a small village in Algiers where newspapers have their headquarters.
(Al Jazeera) — Protesters are demanding greater democratic freedoms, a change of government, and more jobs. The demonstration was set to begin at 11:00 am local time.
“We are ready for the march,” said Mohsen Belabes, a spokesman for the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) opposition party, which is one of the organisers of the protest. “It’s going to be a great day for democracy in Algeria.”
Mubarak’s resignation on Friday, and last month’s overthrow of Tunisian leader, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, have electrified the Arab world.
The rally is being organised by the National Co-ordination for Change and Democracy (CNCD), a three-week-old umbrella group of opposition parties, civil society movements and unofficial unions inspired by the mass protests in Tunisia and Egypt.
(BBC) — Widespread unrest in Algeria could have implications for the world economy because it is a major oil and gas exporter, but many analysts say an Egypt-style revolt is unlikely because the government can use its energy wealth to placate most grievances.
Protest organizers in Algeria — who say they draw some of their inspiration from events in Egypt and Tunisia — say police may turn people away before they can reach the march in the capital, or parallel protests planned for other cities.
“Algerians must be allowed to express themselves freely and hold peaceful protests in Algiers and elsewhere,” rights group Amnesty International said in a statement. “We urge the Algerian authorities not to respond to these demands by using excessive force.”
In an attempt to head of anti-government unrest, the authorities have cut prices for sugar and cooking oil, bought huge quantities of grain to ensure bread supplies and promised to lift a 19-year-old state of emergency.
19 thoughts on “Algeria Revolution Day 1”
When the uprising in Addis Ababa will start?
wow ,…time to topple these dictators …Meles is next ……A bright future is coming for ethiopia …………………….
The WEST should understand and learn from past mistakes of supporting “friendly tyrants”. It is not possible to terrorize people indefinately. Stop the looting and killing by saying no to state terrorism.
freedom is a wild fire !
I am glad for Tunisians and also happy for Egyptians, intusiasticlly support for Algerians. GOD will be with us soon. We will be OK.
God is watching the godless woyanes who are thousands of times worse than Mubarak. Pretty soon the Loving God will humiliate the bloody hand woyanes worse than Mubarak. What goes around, comes around and woyanes won’t get away with the horrendous crimes they have committed on peaceful Ethiopians.
As long as the world keeps silent, Meles could unleash his Agazi militia one more time and quell any uprising. I am utterly conviced that knowing this fact, the people would never ever repeat what they did in 2005. If we are hoping for similiar revolutions as we have have recently seen in Egypt, we will be up for a big disappointment.
I never imagined in my wildest dream dictators could be toppled by popular uprising one after another in a short period of time. I never thought I would witness this miracle in my life time. Now it is the Algerians turn to get rid off their disease, and it won’t be long before the dictator flees for his dear life. The question is, are we going to see the same change happening in our country? Will the tplf thugs peacefully transfer power to the people? Can the military with more than 90% top to lower rank officers stacked with the Tigreans be trusted to protect the people? Will Algezira and other world media show live as things happen the way they did for Egypt; Tunisia and now Algera? For more 20 years the Ethiopian people have suffered enough, and now it is time to turn things around.
next is Meles. please ethiopians wake up it is the right time and learn from Egypt and Tunisia.
when is our peaceful opposition leaders would do like the tunissians, egyptians but especially as algerians?
wey gud
It is already started and after this time all dictators will leave office one after the other. is a matter of time. africa will not return back to dictators. Time is over for dictators. ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH! said Egyptian internate coordinator.
Meles is scared because his daddy Obama is going to dump him once Ethiopian demand their freedom.
Ethiopia rise up for freedom from the apartheid regime of TPLF.
We choose freedom over “Ring road and building” revolution is going on in Ethiopia .
We started counting. As the law diminishing returns for dictators persists, in this case it should take less than 18 days. God willing!
In case of the little monkey from Adwa,it won’t take more than a couple of days to drag him out of the Menelik Palace.As there is no dictator as despised as Zenawi in the entire world.He is a breed unheard or seen before: a ruthless dictator and traitor at the same time.If and when the time comes his fate should be like that of Eichman.
i think we will be free soon fox.our day is near!!!!
Meles is getting ready to leave the country before uprising because he new that there will be no way out for him from ethiopia. He already fears to death. He doesn’t want to be hung like Saddam Husein publically.
Is there any way to monitor rate of increase in liquid and other assets outflow to foreign financial markets. Such people working around financial institutions, communication centers, and business people are eyes and ears. Keep your eyes open and your ears focused. It is unfair for dictator and it’s group on their last days in power to stash Ethiopians money in overseas banks. Dictators please come on don’t take billions out of peoples mouth. Jest go. Impending Change is inevitable. Go and join Mengistu.
what goes around comes around!