ALGERIA

Protest in Egypt that many say will fuel more protests. (courtesy of Creative Commons)

On Thursday, President Adbelaziz Bouteflika was quoted saying it would soon be lifted, according to Reuters. Promises were also made to cut taxes on sugar and cooking oil and to increase the supply of wheat.

These concessions take place after weeks of protests, which many believe will increase after the success of protests in Egypt. 

“A shockwave is running through all the societies of this region, and other despots will go,” historian Daho Djerbal told The Guardian. “There is an idea of the birth of a new republic in which sovereignty is being returned to the people. The people are becoming aware of their power. In Algeria it's slower than elsewhere because we only have a very young new middle class, after it was destroyed under colonialism."

Currently, there is a governmental ban against rallies in the capital. Protesters still plan to march on Saturday, though.

The National Co-ordination for Change and Democracy are organizing the protests. The three week-old group is made up of opposition parties, civic society movements and unofficial unions.

Protesters will be demanding Bouteflika’s immediate resignation. This demand stems from similar issues of high unemployment, housing problems and soaring costs that also inspired protests in Tunisia and Egypt.

To combat the expected rallies, thousand of police are being sent to the capital, according to Aljazeera. 

To prevent protests in the capital, public transportation is also being halted, Said Sadi, the head of the Rally for Culture and Democracy told Aljazeera. He said that 10,000 police officers were coming in to reinforce the 20,000 that previously blocked protests on Jan. 22 when five people were killed and more than 800 hurt. 

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