فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
As Algeria grapples with a severe economic crisis, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune continues to promote an “improved” socio-economic record. However, five years after the pro-freedom Hirak movement, not all hopes for profound political change have dissipated.
On July 11, as he sought a second five-year term, Tebboune declared, “What we have achieved (in the past five years) is a first step towards making our economy that of an emerging country.” Yet, the economy of the eastern neighbor remains dependent on hydrocarbons, with natural gas exports providing 95% of foreign currency resources. Tebboune’s foreign policy record is not particularly bright either, with Algeria becoming increasingly isolated internationally.
Faced with this situation, the population is no longer hiding its discontent. A campaign under the hashtag #Manich_Radi (“I am not satisfied”) has gained increasing momentum on social media. Algerians are demanding change, as they can no longer cope with growing economic difficulties, in addition to the restrictions imposed by the government on fundamental freedoms. Some have even expressed their anger with their real faces in videos posted under the hashtag.
In their messages, Algerian internet users share the number corresponding to their province and express their participation in the campaign aimed at changing the situation in the country. With the economic crisis, Algeria has resorted to import restrictions, causing severe shortages of basic goods, ranging from electronic devices to consumer products such as sugar and coffee. Add to this the sharp rise in unemployment rates and inflation, at a time when the national currency has experienced a historic collapse against the dollar and the euro.
This campaign comes at a time when Algerian authorities continue to suppress fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, press, assembly, and movement, as part of their ongoing efforts to crush any organized opposition. They have dissolved important civil society organizations, suspended political opposition parties and independent media outlets, and continued to use restrictive legislation to prosecute human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and lawyers.
Despite this repression, it seems that the Algerian people have not lost hope for change. As the presidential elections scheduled for September 7, 2024, approach, calls are increasing to take to the streets again to demand the establishment of a civil authority emanating from the will of the people and not imposed by army generals. The question remains: Will the #Manich_Radi campaign succeed in bringing about the desired change and opening a new page of freedom and good governance in Algeria?
