Algeria, an independent country located in north Africa, and is one of the world's top suppliers for oil and gas. After being ruled by France for more than a century, Algeria got their independence in the late 1960s. Since then, Algeria is known to have one of the most dominating governments throughout the world. With a population of over 39 million the country has found themselves in a crisis fighting against Al-Qaeda. (AQIM) Al-Qaeda is recognized as an international terrorist group who is responsible for some of the most horrific terrorist attacks, such as the bombing of New Yorks World Trade Center in 2001. Al-Qaeda is responsible for at least three bombings in Algeria. In order to suppress Al-Qaeda, Algeria has been forced to go to war
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Since the civil war in Algeria ended in 2002, Al- Qaeda has been fighting against Algeria. As the casualties begin to increase, the Algerians main focus is to stop Al-Qaeda from walking over them. For example, “As many as 80 journalists have been killed and beheaded, while the government has imposed total censorship of news from the secret war, with a death toll approaching 80,000.”(“Algeria”) The deaths of innocent civilians in Algeria are being overlooked by the government. Although Algerians aren’t happy about their current government, the last thing they want is a terrorist group to overthrow their government. While the bombings are beginning to add up, some may argue that Algeria has now put together one of the strongest armies ever. GIA (Armed Islamic Front) leader, Antar Zouabri, truly believes they have a strong enough army and a mindset for war by saying, “in our war, there is no neutrality, except for those who are with us, all others are renegade.” (The Associated Press) Zabari saying this shows that the Algerians are tired of having people in their country causing trouble that is not good for anybody. Since this army was formed the GIA has been attacking anyone who is unsupportive of their campaign. Only time can tell on how safe civilians will live, and how successful the GIA will …show more content…
While the lives of Algerians have already changed significantly, they are not getting any easier because of Algerian authorities. Authorities are continuing to restrict the freedom of assembly and association, which is stopping people from having peaceful protests and meetings. Authorities demonstrated their restrictions a reporter said, “police arrested a man named Taher Belabès, a coordinator for the National Committee for the Defense of the Rights of the Unemployed. He was arrested in the southern town of Ouargla on January 2, after police dispersed peaceful protesters demanding jobs and the sacking of local officials for failing to tackle unemployment. Prosecutors charged Belabès with “obstructing the flow of traffic” and “inciting a gathering” and sentenced him on February 3 to one month in prison and a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars” (Freedom of Assembly 1). Protesters were trying to speak their side and show that they don’t want anyone to be unemployed because it is a very tough to live life with no job. Charging Belabès with “obstructing the flow of traffic” and “inciting a gathering” shows that officials are just trying to prove a point and show that they have power to do what they want. Another problem Algerians are facing is that rapists can avoid being prosecuted if they marry the victim, which is stated in article 326 of the Algerian Penal Code
Since the civil war in Algeria ended in 2002, Al- Qaeda has been fighting against Algeria. As the casualties begin to increase, the Algerians main focus is to stop Al-Qaeda from walking over them. For example, “As many as 80 journalists have been killed and beheaded, while the government has imposed total censorship of news from the secret war, with a death toll approaching 80,000.”(“Algeria”) The deaths of innocent civilians in Algeria are being overlooked by the government. Although Algerians aren’t happy about their current government, the last thing they want is a terrorist group to overthrow their government. While the bombings are beginning to add up, some may argue that Algeria has now put together one of the strongest armies ever. GIA (Armed Islamic Front) leader, Antar Zouabri, truly believes they have a strong enough army and a mindset for war by saying, “in our war, there is no neutrality, except for those who are with us, all others are renegade.” (The Associated Press) Zabari saying this shows that the Algerians are tired of having people in their country causing trouble that is not good for anybody. Since this army was formed the GIA has been attacking anyone who is unsupportive of their campaign. Only time can tell on how safe civilians will live, and how successful the GIA will …show more content…
While the lives of Algerians have already changed significantly, they are not getting any easier because of Algerian authorities. Authorities are continuing to restrict the freedom of assembly and association, which is stopping people from having peaceful protests and meetings. Authorities demonstrated their restrictions a reporter said, “police arrested a man named Taher Belabès, a coordinator for the National Committee for the Defense of the Rights of the Unemployed. He was arrested in the southern town of Ouargla on January 2, after police dispersed peaceful protesters demanding jobs and the sacking of local officials for failing to tackle unemployment. Prosecutors charged Belabès with “obstructing the flow of traffic” and “inciting a gathering” and sentenced him on February 3 to one month in prison and a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars” (Freedom of Assembly 1). Protesters were trying to speak their side and show that they don’t want anyone to be unemployed because it is a very tough to live life with no job. Charging Belabès with “obstructing the flow of traffic” and “inciting a gathering” shows that officials are just trying to prove a point and show that they have power to do what they want. Another problem Algerians are facing is that rapists can avoid being prosecuted if they marry the victim, which is stated in article 326 of the Algerian Penal Code