Algeria Abolishes Presidential Term Limits
November 13th, 2008 by Jason
Yesterday the Algerian Parliament overwhelmingly approved amendments to the constitution abolishing presidential term limits, allowing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to seek a third term this spring. Opposition leaders lamented the clear “constitutional coup”. Bouteflika, however, was overjoyed: “This is a historic day for Algeria,” he said, as the amendments “will enshrine our democracy and (guarantee) solid and durable institutions.”
Bouteflika’s diligence in “enshrining democracy” in this way is probably why Secretary Rice called him “truly one of the wise men” of the region two months ago.
Posted in Algeria, Elections, Reform | Comment »
Arab Reform Bulletin: Just Read the Whole Thing
September 11th, 2008 by Jason
I was going to post about another great article up at Carnegie’s revamped Arab Reform Bulletin, but I see that they’ve got a wealth of wonderful stuff, so just go devour the whole site.
Something for everyone: Iraqi politics; security courts in Saudi Arabia; the below-mentioned repentant jihadists in Egypt; upcoming elections in Algeria, and Kuwaiti rentier state analysis for all the theorists out there.
Posted in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia | Comment »
Stability vs. Democracy: Sec. Rice in North Africa
September 9th, 2008 by Jason
Secretary Rice continued her tour of North Africa with visits to Algeria and Tunisia. Her meetings with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and President Zine Abidine Ben Ali, respectively, focused on counterterrorism cooperation. Though she said she raised the issue of democratic reform in private meetings. “We talked about internal matters here in Tunisia and about the course of reform,” Rice said. “We have been very clear that we would hope that Tunisia would do more.”
In Algeria, Rice called President Bouteflika “truly one of the wise men” of the region. No word on who else makes the secretary’s “wise men” short list.
Bret Stephens in the WSJ argues that Rice’s rapprochment with Libya represents the final “triumph of the stability agenda over the freedom one.”
Posted in Algeria, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Human Rights, Libya, Tunisia | 1 Comment »
Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb
July 2nd, 2008 by Adam
GrandMasta Splash at Arabic Media Shack analyzes the recent New York Times article examining Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Splash says the Times article exaggerates the Al-Qaeda links as their tactics, such as killing foreigners, were part of the GIA’s repertoire during its conflict with the Algerian government in the 1990s. Furthermore, according to Splash, the group’s linking with Al-Qaeda is a sign of weakness as they were nearly crushed by the Algerian government and had to align with Bin Laden as a last ditch effort to save their organization from complete marginalization.
Posted in Algeria, North Africa, Terrorism, al-Qaeda | Comment »
The Education of Algiers
June 23rd, 2008 by Adam
Michael Slackman in the New York Times examines how Algeria is using education reform to weaken Islamist influences within the country. Some reforms include a re-introduction of French, emphasis on math and science, a revised religious curriculum, and greater emphasis on critical thinking rather than rote learning. The reforms are facing strident opposition from the Islamists and there is fear that the country may once again be plunged into instability.
Posted in Algeria, Reform | Comment »
POMED Notes: Rethinking Democracy Promotion in Middle East at USIP
January 17th, 2008 by Nicolas
Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted an event entitled “Rethinking Democracy Promotion in the Middle East,” featuring Cairo-based writer and scholar Hugh Roberts, formerly of International Crisis Group, giving an analysis and critique of Western efforts to promote democracy in the Middle East, with suggestions for revamping the approach. Roberts largely criticized the current approach to promoting democracy as ineffective, counterproductive intereference in the internal affairs of Middle Eastern states.
Responses to Roberts were given by Stephen King of Georgetown and Matthew Frumin of NDI, moderated by USIP’s Dina Shehata, followed by a lively Q & A session.
Click here for POMED’s full notes on the event.
Posted in Algeria, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy | Comment »
Poverty is not the Root of Terrorism
December 14th, 2007 by Celest
Abu Muqawama argues against a New York Times article about the Algiers bombing that implies that poverty leads to terrorism.
Posted in Algeria, Terrorism | Comment »
Learning from the Algiers Bombing
December 14th, 2007 by Celest
An editorial in Forward looks for lessons from the recent bombing in Algiers and asks, “Did [Algeria’s leaders] miss an opportunity a decade ago to tame the Islamists and bring them inside, before they morphed into a monster?” It concludes by questioning if Israel should learn this lesson and open dialogue with Hamas.
Posted in Algeria, Hamas, Israel, Political Islam, Political Parties, Terrorism | Comment »
Ruling FLN Wins in Algerian Local Elections
November 30th, 2007 by Sean
In Thursday’s elections, the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) took a majority of seats at stake, followed by its coalition partner the National Democratic Rally. Voter turnout is reported at 43%.
Posted in Algeria, Elections | Comment »
Eve of Algerian Local Elections
November 28th, 2007 by Sean
Algerian local elections are being held tomorrow, following the end of campaigning by political parties who remain concerned about voter turnout. The legislative elections in May faced a measure of voter apathy and boycotts, and some Algerians have voiced skepticism that the current elections are merely “passing off old as new.”
The local elections have also given President Abdelaziz Bouteflika an opportunity to begin campaigning for a constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek a third term in presidential elections in 2009.
Posted in Algeria, Elections, Political Parties | Comment »
MERIP: The Politics of Youth
November 19th, 2007 by Sean
The new issue of the Middle East Report has been released, including articles on youth and politics by Ted Swedenburg and Marc Lynch, James McDougall on “Algeria’s transition to uncertainty,” and several others.
Posted in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Muslim Brotherhood, Publications | Comment »
After an Attempted Assassination, A Look at the Record of Algeria’s President
October 25th, 2007 by Sean
In the Weekly Standard, Roger Kaplan comments on the ‘ambiguous’ record of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was the target of a foiled assassination attempt early last month. Kaplan argues that Bouteflika’s regime, having achieved “some measure of national reconciliation” and stability after years of civil war, continues to face challenges from certain Islamist movements.
Posted in Algeria, Reform, Terrorism | Comment »
UN’s role in Western Sahara Crisis
June 14th, 2007 by Shir
International Crisis Group (ICG) has published an analysis of the Western Sahara impasse, which states that while the U.N. deemed the Western Sahara a region undergoing de-colonization and in need of self-determination, it has failed to follow through with a referendum for the area’s future political arrangement. The ICG suggests the U.N. must either institute such a referendum or step away and allow Morocco, Algeria and the Polisario to carry out negotiations that the U.N. itself has been unsuccessful in brokering.
Posted in Algeria, Morocco | Comment »
Low Turnout in Algerian Elections
May 31st, 2007 by Audrey
Low turnout and lack of substantive opposition in Algeria’s recent parliamentary elections suggest that the North African nation remains far from having a genuine democracy. The Economist reports that “the National Liberation Front, the country’s sole legitimate party from independence in 1962 until a political opening in 1989, easily won the day, with its allies in second and third place.” There is also speculation that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika may be intending to institute a constitutional reform that would allow him to run for a third term in 2009.
Posted in Algeria | Comment »
Slackman in NY Times on Participation of Algerian Women
May 27th, 2007 by Stephen
Saturday’s New York Times featured this fascinating front-page article by Michael Slackman on the increasing economic and political participation of women in Algerian society. Slackman cites recent research showing that women make up 70% of Algeria’s lawyers, 60% of its judges, and 60% of its university students, and he explores the societal changes behind the numbers.
Posted in Algeria | Comment »
TPMCafe Book Club Discussion of Steven Cook’s Ruling But Not Governing
May 22nd, 2007 by Stephen
Check out this week’s discussion at TPMCafe’s Book Club, focusing on Steven Cook’s Ruling But Not Governing: The Military and Political Development in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey. Several commentators including POMED Advisory Board Member Michele Dunne join Cook himself in discussing and debating issues of political development, stability, and the military in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey. There is already a fascinating discussion underway, with more to come all week.
Posted in Algeria, Egypt, Turkey | Comment »
Algerian Election
May 20th, 2007 by Jonathan
Time’s Scott MacLeod has a post on the Algerian elections over at The Middle East Blog. He states that though the election of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 1999 brought more stability to the country, serious problems remain. There has been a recent surge in violence and the population’s trust in the government is not ideal.
Posted in Algeria | Comment »
Carnegie’s Arab Reform Bulletin for May
May 17th, 2007 by Stephen
The new edition of the Arab Reform Bulletin of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is now available. This month’s issue includes an interesting look at the Da’wa Party in Iraq, an examination of the challenges of political participation in Bahrain (where political parties are banned), and an interview with Dr. Muhammad Abd al-Malik al-Mutawakkil, assistant secretary general of the Federation for Popular Forces in Yemen.
In addition, the Bulletin contains its usual survey of other political developments in the Arab world, including a brief preview of the Parliamentary elections underway today in Algeria. The whole issue is definitely worth a read.
Posted in Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen | Comment »
Bombing in Algeria Ahead of Tomorrow’s Legislative Elections
May 16th, 2007 by Stephen
A bomb today in the city of Constantine in Eastern Algeria has killed one policeman and injured two. This follows the major bombing attacks in Algiers last month, and comes one day ahead of elections for the lower house of Parliament. Reuters, the Washington Post, and Middle East Online all have interesting articles today on the disillusionment and apathy among Algerian voters and expectations of low voter turnout tomorrow (all written prior to today’s bombing). A number of Islamist groups with ties to Al-Qaeda have called for boycotts of tomorrow’s elections, and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika made a rare public appearance yesterday to reassure the public ahead of the election.
Magharebia has a brief look at some of the leading candidates and parties.
Posted in Algeria | Comment »
Carnegie Paper on Demilitarizing Algeria
May 10th, 2007 by Stephen
If you have any interest in Algeria, don’t miss Hugh Roberts’ new paper,”Demilitarizing Algeria,” published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Roberts gives a detailed look at recent Algerian history, concluding that the push for democratic reform that began in the late 1980’s was “premature,” as it failed to acknowledge that “the demilitarization of the Algerian polity is a fundamental precondition of the advent of law-bound government, let alone democracy.” His analysis also contains useful lessons for other countries of the region where the military plays a dominant role, such as Egypt.
Steven A. Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations has also written a recently published book exploring prospects of democratic reform under regimes dominated by militaries, entitled Ruling But Not Governing - The Military and Political Development in Egypt, Algeria, and Turkey.
Posted in Algeria, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Turkey | Comment »
