MISHA KELLY

Recently in the city of Tunis, Algeria tensions reached a peak between two factions: Berbers, the indigenous people of the country and most of northern Africa, and Arabs of the Middle East. According to an article of the New York Times, an officer was injured, buildings were burned, and 18 people were killed in the unrest (Gall 2015). This is the result of long term tension over political power, land, and civil rights. The Berbers were conquered by Arabs in the seventh century and Algeria has suffered major political and economic unrest since.The country gained its independence from the French in 1962 after fighting for 8 years in the Algerian War of Independence. Algeria was at one point a sovereign institution of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, which helped to overthrow invaders from Spain in 1518. Algeria was the most powerful ruler of transportation across the Mediterranean Sea as capitalism and international trade developed. Ultimately the country became a target for multiple emerging nations. 

Algeria was attacked by the United States, the English, and Dutch. However, France invaded and subdued the region in 1830. There were many restrictions and racial disparities established in the country once the new regime completely took over. Algerians could only live in the lower class of society as servants and laborers. The French controlled all of the high levels of government and major skilled positions, as well as education and law enforcement. Soon, due to the widespread displacement and injustices against the native Algerians, an underground radical movement led by Ahmed Messali Hadj was underway. In order to undermine growing civil unrest and revolution, the French created a parliament of European and Algerian representatives to uphold the foundation of the political and economic establishment. However, this was unsuccessful and soon after the National Liberation Front (NLF) was formed in 1962 (BBC). Coordinated attacks began throughout the country which led to the defeat of the French.

Today, the Berbers only make up approximately 30% of the country's population (BBC). Algeria has endured various wars throughout the years since the 1980s due to Islamic terrorism, including the most recent various bombings claimed by Al-Qaeda leaders (Chikhi 2015). The progression of the economic and political foundation of the country is fixed and unstable because of inadequate investment and economic and political seclusion in the aftermath of the country's prevalent history of foreign invasion. Rich in oil and gas, the country produces an estimated 12 billion barrels in reserves, but foreign oil company exports have not increased the economic development of the country (Alami 2015). Algeria's economy lacks diversity and depends primarily on its energy exports. In addition, a large portion of oil revenues goes to services of the government and maintaining social peace within the country instead of building infrastructure and expanding trade. 

Algeria has high rates of poverty, unemployment, and government corruption. At this point, the country appears to be heading towards a twofold reformation, one civil and the other political. The most important question one can gather from this current state of affairs is if an equilibrium can be reached without outside influence. These 2 major issues coupled together has the potential to severely prevent Algeria's long term growth, or an even more drastic economic collapse. Government officials are against political reform and the national banking system is extremely outdated in the modern world. As interconnected as the global economy is today, it almost seems as if the country’s compliance in partnering with other countries is inevitable. Algeria's national officials are currently working with the United Nations to strengthen partnerships with the European Union. This is a huge opportunity for the country to begin taking necessary steps to greatly improve foreign affairs. However, there is still a domestic war being fought among civilians. This meeting could be the first step to strengthening the government which ultimately determines the overall stability of the people. 

Sources:
BBC - Algeria country profile - Overview
NY Times - Berbers and Arabs Clash in Algeria, Leaving at Least 18 Dead
Aljazeera - 'Two Nigerias': Country Gripped by Economic Debate
Reuters - Algeria says nine soldiers killed in attack claimed by al Qaeda