Algeria takes a step forward

• Autores: Francis Ghiles
• Localización: Notes internacionals CIDOB, ISSN-e 2013-4428, Nº. 239, 2020, págs. 1-5
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Last November 1st plebiscite to approve a new draft constitution for Algeria should be considered an important victory for the popular uprising movement which last year brought millions of Algerians on the streets to demand democracy.

    The Covid-19 pandemic allowed Algerian rulers to force the Hirak off the streets but the empty polling stations in November demonstrate the spirit of the movement is not dead.

    For the first time since independence, the authorities published the true results of the vote rather than trumped-up figures.

    Two narratives confront each other in Algeria today: the cronyism of Algerian leaders and their interests, and the one of those millions who had demonstrated for months last year.

    Turkey and China seek greater influence and market share in North West Africa and that may turn out to be the unintended consequence of the lack of EU strategic thinking on the region.