Terrorism in Algeria: Causes, Impact, and Response
1. Introduction:
The civil war in Algeria was fought between the secular government and Islamic rebels. The Muslims were aimed at overthrowing the secular government and establishing a Muslim one. The violence started in early 1992, when the Algerian army canceled elections that the Islamic Salvation Front was about to win (Doyle, 1995). Since then, the country has been facing terrorist attacks carried out by various radical Islamic groups. In this essay, I will analyze the main causes of terrorism in Algeria, its impact on Algerian society, as well as the government’s and international community’s response to it.
2. Terrorism in Algeria: the Causes:
The main causes of terrorist activity in Algeria are social and economic inequality, political repression, and radicalization of the Islamic movement.
The roots of inequality and poverty in Algeria lie in the country’s colonial past. After gaining independence from France in 1962, Algeria was ruled by a small group of people who monopolized power and wealth. This situation has not changed much since then. As a result, most Algerians live in poverty, while a small elite enjoys great wealth (Doyle, 1995). Such conditions create a breeding ground for extremism.
Political repression is another important factor that contributes to the growth of terrorism in Algeria. The Algerian government has always been concerned about the spread of Islamic radicalism and has taken strict measures to prevent it. For example, in 1991-1992, the government banned Islamic parties and cracked down on their members (Doyle, 1995). As a result, many young Muslims became radicalized and joined terrorist organizations.
3. The Impact of Terrorism in Algeria:
Terrorism has had a devastating effect on Algerian society. Over the past two decades, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed or wounded in terrorist attacks. In addition, terrorism has led to a sharp decline in economic activity and investment. As a result, poverty and unemployment have increased significantly (Doyle, 1995).
The increase in terrorist activity has also had a negative impact on the education system. Many schools have been closed due to security concerns, and many teachers have been killed or forced to flee the country (Doyle, 1995). As a result, many children have not been able to receive an education.
4. Algerian Government’s Response to Terrorism:
The Algerian government has taken several measures to combat terrorism. First of all, it has strenghened security measures and launched military operations against terrorist groups. Secondly, it has enacted a series of laws that restrict freedom of expression and assembly (Doyle, 1995). Thirdly, it has povided financial and military support to groups that are fighting against terrorists in other countries (Doyle, 1995).
5. International Community’s Response to Terrorism in Algeria:
The international community has responded to terrorism in Algeria in different ways. Some countries have provided financial and military assistance to the Algerian government, while others have condemned its human rights violations (Doyle, 1995).
6. Conclusion:
In conclusion, it should be noted that terrorism is a major problem that Algeria is facing today. Although the government is taking measures to combat it, more needs to be done to address the root causes of this problem such