Protests have taken place in Algeria for the fifth consecutive Friday calling for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down. The Algerian capital Algiers, as well as other cities, yesterday witnessed another influx of protesters calling for the departure of Bouteflika, whose fourth term will reach an end on 28 April. Instead, the ailing president has proposed extending his term for “reforms”. The popular movement in Algeria maintained its momentum a month after it was launched, despite the cold weather gripping the country. Social media websites reported that the demonstrations were held with the slogans Jumat Al-Tahadi (Challenge Friday) and Jumat Al-Sumoud (Resilience Friday). In Algiers, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the morning in the Maurice Audin and Central Post squares. However, thousands of people from nearby neighbourhoods also joined after Friday prayers. In other governorates, demonstrations against Bouteflika’s regime continued, according to local media. Over the course of the protests nearly 15 million people have gone out to the streets to demonstrate, according to the estimation of the opposition. AFP.