The movement mobilised millions and inspired hope for political change, writes Abdelkader Cheref. Facing severe state repression, what's left of Hirak's spirit?
The political and media escalation between Algeria and Morocco reached a new level last week, after the announcement of a representative office being opened for what was called the Moroccan.
Algerian Activist Keeps Up Fight From Abroad allafrica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from allafrica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Five years ago last week, people filled the streets of Algiers to protest then President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s plan to run for a fifth term, in a march that launched the Hirak, Algeria’s biggest proreform movement in decades. When the Hirak forced Bouteflika’s resignation six weeks later, the protest didn’t fizzle. These peaceful Friday marches continued, with Algerians demanding an overhaul of the country’s autocratic political system. At the time Zakaria “Zaki” Hannache was a well-paid,
Algeria inaugurated on Sunday what it described as "Africa's biggest mosque" and the third-biggest mosque in the world, following over a decade of construction and preparation marred by controversy.