Algeria protesters share hope and humour on Twitter

Tens of thousands of Algerians have taken to the streets over the past week, protesting Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to extend his 20-year rule by seeking a fifth term.

As well as the rallies held across the country, Algerians have also taken to social media to amass support against the government online, using the hashtag “No to a fifth term”.

Media is strictly regulated in the North African country, with state news agencies releasing little information on the ongoing protests. However through platforms like Facebook and Twitter, Algerians have shared powerful and humorous moments from the demonstrations themselves, reflecting their hope for the future of the country.

Since the start of the demonstrations last week, protesters have stressed that the rallies be peaceful, and silent protests have taken place in numerous cities to emphasise their non-violent nature. Demonstrators were also photographed gifting flowers to police securing the protests and leaving bottles of water on sidewalks for fellow citizens; volunteers also organised clean-up operations after the rallies were over.

Silent protest held in Bejaia yesterday #22Fevrier pic.twitter.com/1ExSY1c7tP

— Yasmina (@animsche) February 23, 2019

#22Fevrier #حراك_22_فيفري #Algeria peace! Thank you for this days pic.twitter.com/R59mAvwESh

— THE V (@Smookii_V) February 22, 2019

https://twitter.com/Zoeeben10/status/1098986672002396161

Algerians also shared their innovative posters from the demonstrations; one man took his pet bird to the rallies, having attached a note with the slogan “No to a fifth term” on it.

Protest level: Algerian #حراك_22_فيفري pic.twitter.com/WP84XJB4uc

— Yasmina (@animsche) February 23, 2019

Two young men also adapted an Islamic prayer to show their opposition to the Bouteflika’s government.

https://twitter.com/UptownBerber/status/1100461246334287872

READ: Tens of thousands of Algerian students extend protests against Bouteflika

Young Algerians also took to creating formations for aerial photographs, spelling “No [to] 5”, referring to Bouteflika’s fifth term.

#الجزاير اقولها باعلى صوتي لا للعهدة الخامسة pic.twitter.com/HWpGHR5GMG

— Hadjer Sayad (@hadjorsa) February 27, 2019

University students also adapted mathematical formulae to reflect their opposition to a new term, using the concepts of limits to reflect the time period for which the president’s party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has been in power, as 1962 to 2019.

https://twitter.com/DCessylia/status/1100463704083218432

Others wrote out their vision for the future of Algeria in code, including the stipulations that Bouteflika step down and transparent elections be held.

https://twitter.com/neaelf/status/1100422683085492225

Palestinian flags also featured in some protests, with a march in the coastal city of Wahran featuring a long flag draped over demonstrators as they chanted slogans down the main street.

https://twitter.com/NAbdlmadjid/status/1099055078714077184

As protests continue to rock the country, the latest wave of demonstrations seem to have broken the government’s control over public discourse on politics.

https://twitter.com/AmineKamech/status/1100400818375745537

READ: Algeria invites observers to monitor upcoming presidential elections