Africa

Victorious Algerian protesters want other officials out

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A man reads a newspaper headlining Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's resignation, Wednesday April 3, 2019 in Algiers. Algeria's Constitutional Council met Wednesday to confirm President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's resignation, as rattled international partners watch closely to see what's next for this gas-rich country and key player in the global fight against terrorism. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul)

In this image from state TV broadcaster ENTV, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, sitting in wheelchair, centre, presents his resignation to president of Constitutional Council Tayeb Belaiz, right, with Abdelkader Bensalah, Algerian upper house speaker looking on, during a meeting Tuesday April 2, 2019. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down on Tuesday after 20 years in office, following six weeks of massive nationwide public protests aimed at pushing him and his much-criticized inner circle from power in the gas-rich nation. (ENTV via AP)

Algerian protesters who succeeded in pushing out longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika now want other key officials to leave too.

Demonstrators are planning new nationwide protests Friday to call for the departure of the men who head Algeria's government, legislature and constitutional court.

They're dubbed "the three Bs" — Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, Constitutional Council President Tayeb Belaiz, and upper house of parliament president Abdelkader Bensalah.

But constitutional experts warn that forcing the three men out would leave a power vacuum. The protest movement hasn't unified around a single alternative plan to govern Africa's largest country and replace a leadership seen as corrupt and repressive.

Bouteflika resigned this week under pressure from protesters and the powerful army chief. Ally Bensalah is expected to take over as interim leader.