Algeria
Algeria performs in the low range in two categories of the Global State of Democracy framework, namely Representation and Rule of Law. It is in the mid-range with regard to Rights and Participation. Over the last five years, it has experienced notable declines in some Civil Liberties (namely Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press). At the same time, the political aspects of Economic Equality have improved. Algeria’s economy is dominated by the oil and gas sector, which are among the largest in the world, accounting for 38 per cent of national budget revenues.
Algeria has been a key location in the Mediterranean world since antiquity. The first centralized government of the territory was the Numidian kingdom, established by 200 BCE. Algerian culture and politics were later shaped by Arab and later Ottoman rule. After 1830, Algeria was colonized by France, and the country became home to a large French colon population. After a long and brutal war, independence was gained in 1962. The victorious National Liberation Front (FLN) governed in the years following independence, but rising support for Islamist political parties in the 1980s created a challenge to the FLN and led to a civil war between 1992 and 1998. In 1999, a partial amnesty brought the war to an end, though radical Salafist groups continue to operate under the banner of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
After the beginning of the civil war, Algeria’s rulers moved from ruling through the FLN to a more opaque, shifting ruling coalition of political and military figures known as Le Pouvoir. This ruling cadre has faced conflicts with society at large along both ethnolinguistic and generational lines. Opposition parties face repression, elections are not credible, and those parties that attain legislative office cannot check the executive.
Algeria is also divided between an Arabic speaking majority and the third of the population that speaks Amazigh (Berber) languages. Amazigh speakers have demanded official recognition and an end to government discrimination and have frequently protested to this effect. Although Algeria is 99 per cent Sunni Muslim, religious identity remains politically charged.
Though Algeria’s protests during the 2011 Arab Spring were comparatively small, long-ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s decision to seek a fifth term sparked protests by a grassroots movement in 2019 (the Hirak). In response, army leaders, particularly General Ahmed Gaid Salah, forced Bouteflika’s resignation. After the Hirak protests, Abdelmajid Tebboune won a presidential election that featured a field of regime insiders. In late 2020, a new constitution was ratified by voters in a referendum with very low turnout, entering into effect when the president promulgated the text in early 2021. Changes in the new constitution included presidential term limits, new powers for the parliament and judiciary, and a clause allowing legislation that limits rights in the interests of order and security. A democratic dynamic has failed to be established under the new constitution, and hundreds of protestors have been arbitrarily detained over the past several years.
In the wake of the 2019 movement, the role of youth in Algerian politics remains a question, as the government continues to struggle to address concerns about political voice and quality of life. The role of the army in politics and the space for dissent are open questions in post-Bouteflika Algeria. Any real change resulting from the 2019 protests will have to start with progression from oppositional street movements to the formation of viable political alternatives. It is thus important to watch the space for political parties and civic engagement. Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press have also emerged as important indicators to watch as a new law governing media was introduced in 2023.
(Last updated: August 2024)
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2024
New amended Penal Code enters into force
On 6 May, a newly amended Penal Code came into effect following its publication in the official Gazette. The amendments, introduced by the National People’s Assembly (APN), and adopted on 2 April, were promulgated by President Tebboune on 5 May. The revised Penal Code responds to government concerns about "abuses of websites, mobile applications, and platforms enabling social connections" by introducing new offenses related to speech and imposing harsher penalties. Offenses involving the disclosure of sensitive national security or economic information, now carry sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment. The Code also stipulates 10-year prison terms for actions intended to demoralize security forces. While such measures may intend to protect national security, the broad and vague definitions used in the amendments have been criticized for their potential to criminalize and further constrain the exercise of freedom of expression in the country. This update builds on previous changes made to the Penal Code in 2020.
Sources: Le Monde, Official Journal of the Algerian Republic, Article 19, Jeune Afrique, Le 360
June 2024
Water shortages spark protests in Algeria as presidential elections approach
In June, severe water shortages in Algeria triggered widespread protests, especially in the northwestern farming region of Tiaret. Frustrated residents burned tires and blocked roads, condemning the government’s inadequate response to the water crisis. Earlier, President Tebboune had convened a council of ministers to address the issue, promising that water supplies would be restored by the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Despite these assurances, the crisis persisted, with many areas still experiencing dry taps by the promised date. These protests are particularly notable as Algeria has seen relatively few demonstrations since the 2020-2021 period when anti-government protests were met with severe repression. The rare protests come at a sensitive time, with early presidential elections scheduled for 7 September.
Sources: The New Arab, Al Monitor, TSA, Le Monde
December 2023
Algeria adopts new laws on written, electronic and broadcasting media
The People’s National Assembly of Algeria enacted legislation aimed at safeguarding media freedom, repealing the previous ‘press offense’ law and introducing protections for journalists. The new law seeks to modernize the media landscape by regulating print, online, and audio-visual platforms, establishing a robust media system, and promoting professionalism. It emphasizes principles such as freedom of expression and access to information sources, while also providing protection against violence or insult during journalistic activities. Despite these advances, concerns remain about the government's commitment to press freedom, particularly in light of the ongoing detentions of journalists. This legislation is vital in the broader context of democracy and human rights in Algeria; however, its effectiveness will largely depend on its implementation and the government's adherence to the principles it enshrines.
Sources: El Watan, Associated Press, Dzair, APS
October 2023
Algerians defy ban to support Palestinians, government detains Islamic Party leaders
Amid the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, Algerians held their first major protests since the 2019 pro-democracy Hirak movement. Despite a ban on unauthorized demonstrations that has been in effect since 2021, hundreds gathered in the capital on 13 October to support Palestinians. This public pressure led to sanctioned pro-Palestinian protests on 19 October across multiple cities, albeit under strict police supervision due to fears of political exploitation by Islamists and former Hirak leaders.
Separately, the Algerian government detained several high-ranking members of the now-banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) party following their criticism of the administration and warnings about potential security threats. Critics argue these detentions are unjustified and that the detained individuals should be immediately released, while the FIS calls for dialogue and an end to human rights abuses.
Sources: Le Courrier d'Algerie, The New Arab (1), Atalayar, Africa News, North Africa Post, , Middle East Monitor, The New Arab (2), Asharq Al Awsat
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