The 72 mouhafedhs (FLN leaders at the regional level), out of 120 in the country, were clear in their support for the popular protests against Bouteflika. He calls on the authorities to “respond as soon as possible, in order to avoid Algeria a drifting” (in the unknown). Today, “the people and the army share the same vision on the future of the country”, Ahmed Gaïd Salah had declared a couple of weeks later, precisely on March 10. Several local branches or unions affiliated to the powerful UGTA (General Union of Algerian Workers) have also distanced themselves from the union chief, Abdelmadjid Sidi-Said, who is a staunch supporter of President Bouteflika. Resignations were also announced in the Forum of entrepreneurs, an employers’ organization led by Ali Haddad, who is very close to Saïd Bouteflika, the President’s brother.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 18, 2019 17:26 UTC