The Strategy to Close the Chapter on Algeria’s National Tragedy: The Choice of National Reconciliation and Bypassing Transitional Justice

Abstract

In the late 20th century, Algeria experienced a grave national tragedy that threatened to undermine the very foundations of the state. This crisis arose following the emergence of armed groups opposed to the political regime and all those associated with it. These Islamist armed groups adopted change through force after the electoral process was annulled at the beginning of 1992. Faced with this situation, the People's National Army and all security agencies declared that they would not remain passive while the state was exposed to destabilization and aggression, on the basis of their pivotal role in maintaining public security and combating acts of sabotage and terrorism. The State also recognized early on the necessity of establishing an appropriate legal framework in order to create an effective strategy for combating the phenomenon at both the national and international levels, through the enactment of national legislation consistent with its constitutional system and in accordance with the applicable international standards and rules. It therefore moved rapidly to bring its legal and judicial systems into greater conformity with these standards in order to achieve the objectives of combating the phenomenon. The State also resorted to peaceful solutions in stages in order to contain and resolve the security crisis and restore stability and social security, beginning with the Law of Mercy, then Civil Concord, and finally reaching the policy of National Reconciliation as the final and radical solution to the security crisis experienced by the country.