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Algeria’s protesters vie for uncertain legacy

Although weekslong protests in Algeria managed to dislodge the president and regime-linked figures, many challenges lie ahead still.
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TUNIS, Tunisia — Over the past 11 weeks, little has slowed the pace of protests across Algeria, as hundreds of thousands of citizens from all walks of life have taken to the street to voice their rejection of the entrenched cliques and clans that have come to define the Algerian political and business elite for decades.

Events took a dramatic turn on May 4 with the arrest of Said Bouteflika, the brother of ousted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, long considered to be the de facto ruler of the country, along with former Intelligence Chief Gens. Bachir Athmane Tartag and Mohamed Mediene (better known as Toufik). All three stand accused of “harming the army’s authority and plotting against state authority.”

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