Stability in the Midst of Chaos

You don’t hear much about Algeria in the news these days.

In fact, other than for its capital Algiers having served as the host city for August’s OPEC meeting, Algeria’s name hardly comes up in the media at all.

And the Algerians are happy to keep that way.

The largest country in Africa (and the 10th-largest in the world), as well as a leading oil producer and the third-largest supplier of natural gas to the European Union, Algeria is a surprisingly stable nation in the midst of an unstable region.

Led by a firm-handed and now-ailing fourth-term president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who, despite a reputation for keeping an authoritarian grip on national affairs, is strongly supported by the vast majority of his people, Algeria is a pillar of political stability and hope when most of North Africa are being cleaved by sectarian violence and terrorism.

The Algerians endured an entire decade of violence during a civil war inflamed by Islamic rebels that lasted from 1991 to 1999, and they have had their fill of bloodshed, so they are not likely to fall prey to the malicious propaganda of the likes of the Islamic State (I.S.) or other extremist Muslim groups.

Consequently, instead of the illusion of creating a false caliphate, the Algerians are looking to shore up their economy with fresh trade and business ventures.

The fall in international oil prices has hit Algeria hard, since more than 90 percent of the country’s exports are hydrocarbons.

But, in addition to its political stability, Algeria has a big advantage over many of its energy-exporting counterparts, and the fact is that since taking office in 1999, Bouteflika has been busy implementing both social and economic reforms.

In stark contrast to his predecessor, whose policies tended to isolate Algeria from the outside world, Bouteflika has shifted the country’s economy from a full state-owned system to a free-market one.

This focus on opening markets has attracting significant direct foreign investment and helped to minimize Algeria’s reliance on the oil sector.

A new three-year economic plan is aimed at diversifying the economy even further, reforming government spending to focus on growth and sustainable development, revamping the tax system and strengthening respect for human rights.

Algeria has already proven itself to be a regional pioneer in promoting female rights and social justice.

“The president has implemented important reforms over the last few years that include ensuring the political rights of women, who now hold 32 percent of the seats in the National Popular Assembly,” noted Algerian Ambassador to Mexico Rabah Hadid during a recent diplomatic function at his residence.

For the last 10 years, Algeria has been a close ally of the West in combatting terrorism, and it is now likely to become a major player in helping to negotiate peace throughout North Africa.

Ambassador Hadid said that his government has always encouraged diplomatic over militaristic resolutions to conflict, including regional disputes.

“In accordance with these principles, Algeria is working with all its partners to establish peace and stability in the countries of Africa and the Arab world,” he said.

Earlier this year, Algeria played a behind-the-scenes diplomatic role in helping to diffuse ongoing tensions between Syria and Turkey.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Algiers has been steadfast in its position that Syrian sovereignty should be respected, opposing intervention by any foreign nation, which makes it a neutral player.

Yes, Algeria may not be in the news much these days, but that does not mean it should not be front and center in the effort to bring stability to the Middle East and North Africa.

Algeria might just be the anchor of stability that the region so desperately needs.

Thérèse Margolis can be reached at [email protected].