Removing military control over Algeria's politics is a lengthy process that will not be ended by protests or elections.
Announcement of polls by interim President Abdelkader Bensalah comes after army chief General Ahmed Gaid Salah, seen as Algeria's strongman since the fall of former leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika, insisted that polls be held by the end of 2019.
As protests enter their seventh month, Algerians continue to demonstrate for change, justice and accountability. Whether they will receive it is another question.
Algeria's Constitutional Council rejected two unknown candidates for the presidency and said that the planned July 4 elections would not be held.
Memes, songs and slogans are driving the countrywide protests, but some people have started to differ on the language and choice of words used, exposing the fault lines among the demonstrators.
After weeks-long demonstrations forced president Bouteflika out of office on April 2, protesters have continued mass demonstrations every Friday, demanding other members of the country's elite also give way.
Algerian state TV said five billionaires, including the country’s richest businessman Issad Rebrab and four brothers from the Kouninef family, have been arrested as part of an anti-graft investigation.
Algerians have continued with the demonstrations, which kicked off in February against veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the ruling "gang," hoping for wholesale reforms in the political arena.
Algeria’s fate is clouded with uncertainty as unseen forces within its ruling elite battle for supremacy, while doing their best to survive the continuing calls for meaningful change across the country.
The protests, which entered the seventh week, managed to force Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign as president. Abdelkader Bensalah, a key ally of Bouteflika has been named the interim president for 90 days.
The Algerian Army occupies a delicate position after Bouteflika's resignation. Now it must deliver on protesters’ demands without directly interfering in politics
Army chief General Ahmed Gaed Salah repeats proposal to declare President Abdelaziz Bouteflika unfit to rule under article 102 of constitution.
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