Algeria’s Islamists Seek To Form a Political Union
After years of efforts aimed at unification, Algeria’s various Islamist political parties and forces plan to unite to face expected challenges from pending constitutional amendments, writes Kaci Racelma.
Bouguerra Soltani's Movement for the Society of Peace (MSP) and its political party, the Algerian Front for Change (FC), headed by Abdelmajid Menasra, have been both seeking to consolidate the Islamist Union in Algeria.
This initiative goes far back in time, but the struggle for leadership has delayed its completion. However, their voice is being heard on the domestic political level. Thus, concerned parties have been rushing to join forces and form an alliance.
In light of the preparation of the bill to amend the constitution, which is to take place on the eve of the 2014 presidential elections, and given the resulting political challenges, Islamists have decided to stop operating as divided groups. Nevertheless, one should note that the MSP, which is to hold its fifth annual conference on May 2 and May 3, has no political weight. In fact, the MSP has been working since 2004 in a coalition with the Presidential Alliance, but left it in January to form the Green Algeria Alliance (GAA).
The GAA represents a collation of several Islamist groups (the MSP, El-Islah, and the Islamic Renaissance Movement, "IRM") formed on March 7, 2012, to prepare for the 2012 legislative elections.
