Algeria, unrest over nationality threat

Algerians have been shocked and outraged by the announcement that nationality will be withdrawn from natives living abroad who harm the interests of the state. The warning was issued by the Minister of Justice, Belkacem Zeghmati, without specifying further details. What kind of threats is the government referring to? Media outlets and many politicians are asking themselves, and they understand that it will be a matter of denunciations and criticism.

The unrest caused by the threat comes at a time when the Hirak protest movement, which once succeeded in ousting long-time President Bouteflika, is returning to the streets of major cities, starting with the capital. Public opinion is that, as the months go by, beyond a change of names in power, nothing has changed either in terms of economic improvement or in terms of liberties. The general impression is that this unpopular measure will further fuel discontent.

So far, the government has not explained what this threat will consist of, beyond passport withdrawal, nor why it has been announced at such a delicate time as the current situation in the country. The new president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, returned to Algiers a couple of weeks ago after a two-month absence for medical treatment abroad, and some understand that it was not announced beforehand, respecting his absence.

Speculation is focused on the conflicts that, despite the years elapsed since independence, often continue to cloud relations with France. Memories are still fresh and it is insisted that the often minor conflicts are used in Algiers to distract attention from certain internal problems. On the other hand, it is clear that among the large colony of Algerian emigrants in France there are activists who stimulate tension in their country of origin.

They can count on easy access to the French media, which have a constant presence in Algeria and are the ones that really exert influence. In contrast to the freedom of the French press, the control of the local media is in itself a sign of their lack of credibility. The threat to withdraw the nationality of some of them seems clearly intended to silence information and dissenting opinions. And to frighten their authors.

Many analysts see such an unpopular decision as proof of the weakness of the new regime, which remains under the direct influence of the military. The country's poor economic situation and the aftermath of the pandemic are also causing much unrest, especially in the cities, where unemployment has risen alarmingly over the past year and the capacity for mobilisation is infinitely greater than in rural areas.