Among the more memorable speeches given by the late President John F. Kennedy was one in which he attempted to give clarity to newly emerging independent states in Africa yearning for freedom. On 2 July 1957 then-Senator Kennedy challenged the continued French domination of Algeria in a speech given in the Senate. Kennedy said, "There are many cases of the clash between independence and imperialism in the Western world that demand our attention. But again one above all the rest, is critically outstanding today-Algeria." Kennedy went on to explain how the war in Algeria had engaged 400,000 French soldiers and had stripped the continental forces of NATO to the bone. It impacted hopes for a European Common Market and compromised liberal French reforms. The tenacity with which the French clung to their former colony was a drain on the NATO alliance and the United States.
Today we need a fresh look at Algeria. From independence in 1962, Algeria entered a period of radical nationalism and a flirtation with the Soviets during the Cold War. In 1991 it began a long and tortuous road in which an Islamist party won via legitimate elections only to have their results nullified by the army and a decade-long civil war ensued. The debate as to the army's actions continues, but what concerned Algerian military leaders in the 1990s were the troubling changes the Front Islamique Du Salut (FIS), or Islamic Salvation Front, were making to the character of Islam and the Algerian Republic at large.
Algerians are typically Sunni Maliki Muslims, a relatively tolerant school of Islamic thought, and they saw the FIS imposing a Salafi brand of Islam usually found in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. In addition, it seemed the FIS was bent on ridding Algeria of the institutions of the republic and governing through communities directed by local mosques. The FIS believed it was denied political power after participating in the process and an agonizing civil war dominated the decade. Algeria's leaders have used various methods to deal with the Islamist extremists, including providing amnesty to those giving up violent political expression and terrorism. The Algerian government's tactics have led to the splintering of the FIS, with more violent factions forming the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), a group that kidnapped European tourists for ransom in 2003.
Some judge Algeria today by the standards of the 1990s when the nation was plunged into civil war. Today, Algeria has used its experience in fighting terrorism to help those nations such as Mali, Mauritania, and other African states with their struggle against violent jihadist groups. It announced in October 2004 the opening of an African Union counter-terrorism center in Algiers that will unite the resources of the continent to combat terrorism. Politically, Algeria is attempting to find a mechanism by which the nation can heal, including debate on a national reconciliation referendum as well as accounting for thousands missing as a result of the decade-long civil war.
Militarily, Algeria is looking to place its professional armed forces under civil control. In May 2005, the first civilian Minister-Delegate for Defense was named and the 2004 presidential elections saw soldiers voting outside of barracks for the first time in the republic's history. Nations such as Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia can play an active part in securing the southern Mediterranean from illegal migrants and smugglers entering Europe from Africa. This is a criminal pipeline with ties not only to organized crime but terrorist groups as well. Imagine the potential of these three North African nations collaborating to secure the Sahara and the southwestern Mediterranean.
Just as Senator Kennedy observed that France's determination to keep Algeria a colony was a drain on NATO, Algeria must understand that its disputes with Morocco must be resolved and that the problems of the Western Sahara precludes both nations from addressing serious security problems in the region. This not only prevents the two North African partners from realizing the full potential of a regional alliance but also affects the Global War on Terrorism. It is time to look at Algeria anew and shape a future that provides for mutual cooperation with Morocco, Europe, and the United States.
Lieutenant Commander Aboul-Enein is a Middle East Foreign Area Officer currently serving in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.