Algeria Country Report

Algeria is the largest country by land area in Africa, located in the northern part of the continent. The Sahara Desert encompasses a large part of its territory in the southern part of the country. The majority of the population resides along the northern coast.

Algeria has been engulfed in a political crisis after a wave of anti-government demonstrations that began in February 2019 (Hirak or the Movement) and led to the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Contested and unpopular elections were finally held in December 2019 after ten months of protests. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Prime Minister and Defense Minister under Bouteflika, won the presidency with 58%, from a turnout of less than 40% of the voters. The country has yet to establish itself as a liberal democracy, with the military dominating the political and economic spheres.

Snap parliamentary elections were held in Algeria in June 2021 to elect the members of the People's National Assembly. The governing party, the National Liberation Front, won a majority of seats; however, the party, along with its coalition partner, Democratic National Rally, suffered significant electoral losses. The nationalist Future Front, the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace, and new National Construction Movement, and independents all saw significant gains at the expense of the governing coalition. Following the elections, a coalition was formed by the National Liberation Front, Democratic National Rally, Future Front, National Construction Movement, and several members from the independents.

Algeria continues to face a credible threat from remnant Islamist insurgents from the 1992-2002 civil war era. These militants evolved into al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and demonstrated their ability to target both foreign interests and symbols of the state. There is also concern over the presence of Islamic State (IS) networks, which have staged several attacks in the country. However, the country's well-developed counter-terrorism strategy possesses the capability to mitigate this threat.

Algeria's economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbons and is suffering from crippling inflation and a deteriorating economic environment. Essential commodities have become unaffordable for many Algerians. Corruption is widespread and unemployment high, both of which have been recurrent sources of socio-economic unrest. The business environment is compromised by an obtrusive regulatory environment, failed economic reforms, and a socialist model of economic development.

Primary threats to foreign travelers are criminal activity and frequent road traffic accidents. High summer temperatures can pose a threat to health. Infrastructure is relatively well-developed by regional standards in the main cities of northern Algeria, but it can also be sub-standard in much of the remote southern and central desert regions. Water scarcity and access in these regions are also relevant concerns.

Low-level conflict exists between the secular government and Islamist militants, particularly in the Kabylie region in the northeast. Overall, Algeria has improved markedly in recent years, although border areas with central and southern Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania should be largely avoided due to the lack of security and the spillover of conflicts from the region. Tensions with Morocco exist over the Western Sahara territorial dispute, and while the border remains closed, the potential for bilateral conflict is low.

Petty street crime is common, and foreign visitors are at risk of such crimes due to their perceived affluence. Crimes involving violence or the threat of violence, such as muggings, robberies, car-jackings, and kidnappings, are also a concern. Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) militants pose a threat, and foreign nationals are potential targets. However, robust and wide-ranging security forces capabilities and major counter-terrorism operations help mitigate this risk. Protests occur over political and socio-economic grievances. Unrest between rival ethnic communities and tribes occasionally occurs in the South.

Airports in Algeria generally meet international security standards, though they can be prone to delays and irregular traffic.

The major road system has improved, but traffic accidents are common due to low driving standards. Speeding, in particular, can be dangerous throughout Algeria, especially at night.

Algeria has 13 major commercial ports, vital to the country's economy. They are usually well-managed and meet international security standards.

Utilities in Algeria are decent and meet most Western standards. Power generation, distribution, and transmission systems are comparable to many U.S. utilities.

There is a high threat to cyber security in Algeria.

Northern Algeria has a temperate Mediterranean climate, although the arid, desert climate of the Sahara can experience extremely high temperatures. The northern part of the country is susceptible to earthquakes and these occur fairly regularly. Severe floods, mudslides, and droughts occur during the rainy season from November to February. The south-western Sahara Desert can experience severe sand and dust storms and extremely large temperature variations.

Adequate medical care is available in major urban centers, but often does not meet Western standards. Pharmacies in more rural areas regularly exhaust supplies of certain medication and some prescription drugs may not be altogether be available. The most common travel-related ailment is travelers' diarrhea. Isolated cases of Malaria have occurred in Ihrir, in Illizi province of the Sahara region. Tap water is not safe to drink.

Algeria has been engulfed in a political crisis after a wave of anti-government demonstrations that began in February 2019 (Hirak or the Movement) and led to the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Contested and unpopular elections were finally held in December 2019 after ten months of protests. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Prime Minister and Defense Minister under Bouteflika, won the presidency with 58 percent, from a turnout of less than 40 percent of the voters. The country has yet to establish itself as a liberal democracy, with the military dominating the political and economic spheres.

Snap parliamentary elections were held in Algeria in June 2021 to elect the members of the People's National Assembly. The governing party, the National Liberation Front, won a majority of seats; however, the party, along with its coalition partner, Democratic National Rally, suffered significant electoral losses. The nationalist Future Front, the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace, and new National Construction Movement, and independents all saw significant gains at the expense of the governing coalition. Following the elections, a coalition was formed by the National Liberation Front, Democratic National Rally, Future Front, National Construction Movement, and several members from the independents.

Corruption in Algeria is widespread and unemployment high, both of which have been recurrent sources of socio-economic unrest.