Nina Lopez

1 February 2019

Civil Unrest and Instability in Algeria

Executive Summary
Algeria is likely going to experience civil unrest and instability in the near future. Despite a
growing economy and stable leadership, income disparity and popular disagreement are
prevalent in Algeria. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s legitimacy and competency to lead Algeria
is in question as he is less involved in day-to-day procedures than previous terms. While the
economy is growing the income gap continues to grow as well, thus contributing to public unrest.
Terrorist organizations continue to inhibit Algeria creating little assurance in the safety of
Algerians. Human rights violations persist even with added pressure from the United Nations.

Discussion
Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been the Algerian president since April of 1999 even while his health
degrades resulting in multiple strokes and hospitalizations. In 2014, Bouteflika traveled to France
for treatment for months following a stroke.1 This, along with other extended absences in 2014,
led the public to believe he is dead so the administration held a public meeting showing
Bouteflika alive and well in efforts to reassure the public. Corruption is also prevalent in the
Algerian government as le pouvir, allegedly a group made up predominantly of the Army and
military intelligence, ensures Bouteflika’s reelection in 2014 by intimidating and removing any
opponents.2

The Algerian economy is healthy in comparison to other African nations and is in the 80th
percentile for lowest national debts.3 Oil is the main export for Algeria and from 2014 to 2017
decreased from 20 million USD to 7 million USD. The majority of Algerians are facing economic
difficulties either from unemployment or income disparity, which is in part is contributing to the
reduced foreign revenue. The unemployment rate decreased over the past 4 years from 23
percent in 2014 to 11.7 percent in 2017.4 While this is a decrease in overall unemployment the
income gap still exists and is widening by the steep loss of foreign revenue in relation to oil.

The presence of Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) also contributes to the public’s mistrust in the legitimacy of the Algerian regime. In 2016
alone there are 36 reports of terrorist attacks on civilians and police forces.5 While the number
decreases to 10 in 2017, AQIM and ISIS are both still prevalent in Northeast Algeria. AQIM
leadership headquarters are in Algeria and ISIS has specific aims at changing the current Algerian
government to follow Sharia law.

Algerian’s freedoms are severely restricted in respect to freedom of press to freedom of religion.
Riyadh Hartouf, satirical talk show host, is detained for allegations of corruption by Bouteflika
and other senior government officials in 2016.6 Ahmadi Muslims are facing charges because of
practicing religion without government approval.7
 Endnotes

1 Elliott Abrams. “Algeria, Young and Old,” Council on Foreign Affairs. 27 February 2014. Accessed

31 January 2019, https://www.cfr.org/blog/algeria-young-and-old.

2 Elliott Abrams. “Algeria, Young and Old,” Council on Foreign Affairs. 27 February 2014. Accessed

31 January 2019, https://www.cfr.org/blog/algeria-young-and-old.

3 “The World Factbook: Africa:: Algeria,” Central Intelligence Agency. 23 January 2019. Accessed
31 January 2019, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/ag.html.
4 Aslam Kakar. “Addressing Four Main Causes of Poverty in Algeria,” The Borgen Project. 1

October 2017. Accessed 31 January 2019, https://borgenproject.org/causes-of-poverty-

in-algeria/.
5 “Country Policy and Information Note Algeria: Fear of Islamic Terrorist Groups,” Department of

Justice. August 2017, https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/995211/download.

6 “Five Years After Promised Reform, Human Rights in Algeria Still Severely Restricted,” Fanack.

9 November 2016. Accessed 31 January 2019, https://fanack.com/algeria/human-

rights/human-rights-in-algeria-severely-restricted/.
7 “Algeria 2017 Human Rights Report,” Department of State. 2017. Accessed 31 Jauary 2019,

https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277479.pdf.