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| Africa: North |
| Algerians set to vote on amnesty |
| 2005-09-29 |
| Teacher Mohamed Alouani hopes a national referendum on Thursday on a partial amnesty for hundreds of Islamic militants will finally bring peace to Algeria's most dangerous province. Boumerdes will be a true test of whether President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's referendum will end an Islamic uprising that has cost between 150,000 and 200,000 lives. More than 18 million Algerians are eligible to vote on the "charter for peace and national reconciliation", which will offer amnesty to rebels still fighting or in jail. The government expects a massive 'yes' vote. "A mayor, two policemen, two soldiers, and a municipal guard were killed in the last 10 days in this area. Several businessmen were also blackmailed by the terrorists. We live in hell," Alouani, a 42-year-old Arabic teacher, told Reuters. "We need quick results, people can't wait any longer." About 1,000 militants, largely belonging to the much-weakened al Qaeda-aligned Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), remain and still carry out sporadic attacks, mostly in Boumerdes province. The new charter will enable the state to free most jailed militants and offer amnesty to those who surrender. However, rebels responsible for massacres will be excluded. "Enough is enough. We must turn the page of more than a decade of blood and tears," Bouteflika said at a campaign rally. "We do have financial means to solve all our problems. But we can't do it as long as peace is not fully restored." Algeria's economy has gradually improved since Bouteflika came to power. Foreign currency reserves exceed $40 billion, inflation is low, unemployment has fallen to below 20 percent and foreign investment is returning. "Most voters will back the plan for fear of a new wave of violence," said Mahmoud Belhimer, professor of political science at Algiers University. However, he questioned the need for a referendum, saying the state was dealing with the rebels. "I am ready to vote in favour of the charter for my young son to live in peace," said Souad Zafar, who survived a massacre in the Bentalha on the outskirts of Algiers in 1997. "But I won't forgive," she said, adding that seven of her relatives died the night rebels killed about 400 residents. Human rights groups and some parties accuse Bouteflika of using the referendum to strengthen his grip on power. A leading opposition figure, Hocine Ait Ahmed, called for a boycott and said the charter would clear the government of any responsibility for what happened during the conflict. The charter says: "The Algerian people praise the Algerian National Army, the security forces as well as all the patriots and anonymous citizens who...saved Algeria and its institutions." Amnesty International said this amounted to exonerating the security forces from accountability for serious human rights abuses. It also criticised the charter for sweeping under the carpet other abuses, which should be investigated. The families of thousands of Algerians who disappeared after being questioned by police will receive financial compensation. "I do not want the government to give me money to compensate the lost of my son. I want it to tell me the truth, and why the security forces kidnapped him. This is what I want. Not more but not less," said Cherguin Jguiga, 65. Madani Mezrag, the amnestied ex-leader of the armed wing of the FIS, told Reuters: "The armed struggle is finished." |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #2 It's not what it looks; see my post Algeria’s silent coup |
| Posted by: Captain Marlow 2005-09-29 11:34 |
| #1 "The armed struggle is finished." "...until we've finished stockpiling for the next round!" |
| Posted by: Raj 2005-09-29 09:03 |