Algeria president’s offer to protesters fails to quell anger

In this file photo taken on May 04, 2017 Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seen on a wheelchair as he votes at a polling station in Algiers. (AFP/Ryad Kramdi)

Algeria’s Constitutional Council has been placed under high security as President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term is due to be formally submitted. (AP/Fateh Guidoum)

• Crowds of protesters faced off with riot police
• Bouteflika has barely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke

ALGIERS, Algeria: Angry Algerians have protested into the night despite President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s offer of a new constitution and a truncated next term.
Crowds of mainly young protesters faced off with riot police in Algiers late Sunday and early Monday after Bouteflika’s campaign manager formalized the longtime leader’s candidacy for a fifth term in the April 18 election. Demonstrations were also held in other cities.
Bouteflika has barely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke and is facing protests over his leadership. He said Sunday in a statement that if he’s re-elected, he would hold a referendum on a new constitution and call an early election in which he wouldn’t run.
Protesters don’t want him to run at all, and described his offer as a ploy to remain in power.