ALGIERS — The government of Algeria has put forward a legislative proposal aimed at refining the mobilization processes of its military forces in light of rising tensions with neighboring countries Morocco and Mali, as well as with France, the former colonial power. This initiative, which is scheduled for presentation by the North African nation’s Minister of Justice this Wednesday, was previously sanctioned by government officials earlier in the month.
Diplomatic ties between France and Algeria took a nosedive last summer. This occurred after France expressed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan concerning Western Sahara, a region embroiled in a territorial dispute. The territory is claimed by the Polisario Front, a movement advocating for independence and backed by Algeria, operating from camps set in southeastern Algeria. This shift in France’s stance has strained the historically complex relations with Algeria.
Concurrently, Algeria’s influential military leader, Said Changriha, who serves as the army’s chief of staff, has been engaged in a series of visits to military regions along the borders. His visits are centered on overseeing military exercises amid these regional tensions.
In addition to these diplomatic tensions, Algeria, which boasts one of the largest military forces on the African continent, reported earlier this month that it shot down a military drone near its frontier with Mali. This marked the first occurrence of its kind and has highlighted the increasing strain between the two nations, both of which control extensive areas of the Sahara Desert.
The proposed draft law, a version of which was reviewed, seeks to outline the procedures for organizing, preparing, and implementing the general mobilization as outlined in Article 99 of the Algerian Constitution. This article provides for the mobilization of all national forces in the event of a major crisis.
The introduction of this draft law has sparked apprehension among the Algerian populace. Aziza Sahoui, a retired educator, shared her concerns on social media, expressing confusion over the motives driving this initiative. “I did not understand what’s behind this project. I’m really worried, especially as it comes after the incursion of a Malian drone into our territory,” she remarked.