Algeria’s fratricidal war has divided democrats, seriously damaged civil society and left a political
vacuum in the face of the ruling parties. There is almost no opposition with a proper base that can
take the demands of the people forward.
A year ago, waves of uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa swept away western-backed
tyrants one after the other - first Tunisia’s Ben Ali, then Egypt’s Mubarak... It seemed the list of
toppled dictators was bound to go on and on. These uprisings were unforgettable historical events
and the emancipatory experience was so contagious that people all over the world were inspired.
Occupiers from London to Wall Street were proud to “Walk like an Egyptian”.