ICG Recommends Dialogue in Algeria to Avoid ‘Severe’ Crisis

Arab World

July 28th, 9:13am

Algiers - Boualem Goumrassa

Lawyers carry a national flag as they march during a protest to demand the immediate resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in Algiers. (Reuters file photo)

The International Crisis Group (ICG) urged on Monday dialogue between the Algerian government and the protest movement, known as Hirak. In a report, it said both sides “should at least engage in a national economic dialogue” to avoid “a severe economic crisis.”  The pandemic and the ensuing oil crisis saw the International Monetary Fund forecast a 5.2 percent recession in Algeria this year. The country, which depends on oil exports for 90 percent of state revenues, is vulnerable to crude price fluctuations. "The government could be forced to resort to foreign borrowing" and tough austerity measures, the Brussels-based ICG warned. To avoid such an outcome, the government could "loosen its vice" on the protest movement, it said. The CNLD prisoners' rights group says authorities are holding around 60 political detainees, mostly over Facebook posts, with the aim of preventing a resurgence of the protest movement. The ICG warned that the Hirak running out of steam could create a vacuum that would give space to more hardline groups. Meanwhile, Algerian journalist Khaled Drareni will appear before court next Monday on charges of "inciting an unarmed gathering and damaging national integrity." Lawyer Abdul Ghani Badi, who is responsible for defending most prisoners of conscience, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Drareni will be sentenced in the same trial with activists Samir bin Al-Arabi and Suleiman Hmitouch. The three were arrested in March at an anti-government protest that was banned by security forces. The examining magistrate has placed Drareni under judicial control but this procedure was canceled after a while by the chamber of indictment at the court of appeal -- he was then sent to pre-trial detention. The other two activists were temporarily released after staying for three months in police custody. Drareni’s imprisonment sparked local and international outrage that demanded his immediate release. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had indirectly accused him of passing on state secrets to the French embassy in Algiers. Drareni’s defense team countered, saying the president was trying to interfere in the investigation.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2416186/icg-recommends-dialogue-algeria-avoid-%E2%80%98severe%E2%80%99-crisis