Algeria orders early university as student anti-govt. protests continue

Algerian authorities have ordered the universities to commence their spring holiday earlier than scheduled, a move perceived as an apparent attempt to weaken two-weeks-long protest rallies led by students against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika over his decision to seek a fifth term in office.

The unexpected order was issued by the North African country’s Higher Education Ministry on Saturday, a day after tens of thousands of anti-government protesters filled the streets in central Algiers, the capital, to express their strong dissent against Bouteflika’s 20-year rule.

Demonstrations have been staged almost daily in the capital since February 22, with the 82-year-old leader cautioning demonstrators not to allow their peaceful rallies to be manipulated as he invoked the country's decades-long civil war.

The ministry, without providing a reason for its abrupt rescheduling of the academic calendar, said in decree that the spring break would be brought forward by 10 days, starting on Sunday, instead of March 20.

Bouteflika, who uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since he suffered a stroke in 2013, infuriated his opponents and unleashed major protests last month after he announced that he would once again participate in the presidential race.

The elections are due to be held on April 18 but protesters are unlikely to give up demanding the resignation of Bouteflika. Opponents also cite what they call chronic corruption and a lack of economic reform to tackle unemployment.

He has been in Switzerland since February 24 for what his office has described as “routine medical tests,” without giving an exact fate for his return home.

On March 7, Bouteflika issued his first warning to his opponents, cautioning them that the unrest, now entering its third week, could create chaos in the oil- and natural gas-producing North African country.

He had promised on March 3 that if re-elected, he would order a referendum on a new constitution and call an early election where he would not run.

Algeria’s divided opposition and civic groups have called for more protests against Bouteflika’s decades-long rule if he proceeds to seek another term.

Some long-time allies of the Algerian president, including at least seven members of the ruling party, the National Liberation Front, have expressed support for the protesters, revealing cracks within the governing elite long seen as invincible.