Algerians intend to return to the streets on January 1, 2025, with online calls reigniting the spirit of the 2019 Hirak Movement, as anger with military rule, economic stagnation, and increasing repression grows, according to converged media souces.
The Algerian government’s crackdown on the latest digital rebellion, spurred by the popular hashtag #مانيش_راضي (or “I’m Not Satisfied”), has resulted in an avalanche of recent arrests and counter-campaigns, revealing the regime’s mounting unease, or panic, as some are calling it.
The Algerian military has detained at least nine activists linked to the #Manich_Rady campaign in the last few days. Among the arrested are Omar Aït El-Arbi from Béjaïa, Sofiane Rebaï from Algiers, and Rayan Mekki from Tlemcen. Mekki’s case, in particular, has drawn widespread attention after his mother’s emotional plea, accusing security forces of mistreating her son, confiscating his belongings, and withholding information about his whereabouts.
The arrests, which include both activists and journalists, along with arrests of thinkers such as Boalem Sansal, have only intensified public anger. Advocacy groups such as the Shoaa Human Rights Organization assert that the detentions are aimed at intimidating dissenters.
Nevertheless, the campaign is continuing to grow, with Algerians using social media to demand change, echoing the calls for reform that first emerged in 2019 and toppled former President Bouteflika.
In an effort to undermine the digital movement, the Algerian regime launched a counter-campaign under the hashtag #أنا_مع_بلادي (or “I Stand with My Country”). This attempt to discredit the pro-Hirak activists backfired, inadvertently amplifying the visibility of #Manich_Rady. Even President Abdelmadjid Tebboune referenced the hashtag during a government-wali meeting, a move seen by activists as evidence of the regime’s fear of a renewed uprising.
Tebboune’s remarks have been interpreted as a misstep, showcasing the regime’s unease over the growing dissent. Activists argue that the government’s focus on silencing a hashtag rather than addressing Algeria’s worsening socio-economic crisis underscores its inability to engage with the population’s legitimate grievances.
The roots of Algeria’s unrest lie among other things in deep economic stagnation. Years of restrictive policies, including import bans, have led to shortages of essential goods such as cars, electronics, and food. Inflation has soared, unemployment remains high, and the Algerian dinar is continuing to lose value against foreign currencies, eroding household purchasing power.
Merchants and consumers alike face mounting challenges, with many blaming the military’s grip on the economy for the country’s deteriorating conditions. Activists argue that meaningful reform can only occur if the military relinquishes its control over governance, allowing for civilian leadership to address these urgent issues.
The #Manich_Rady campaign has gained support from Algerian activists abroad, including prominent figures like Chawki Benzehra, Amir DZ, and Hichem Aboud. These exiled voices have amplified the call for systemic change, with many describing Algeria as being in a state of “dangerous regression.” They demand the removal of entrenched regime figures, a central demand of the original Hirak Movement.
Notably, even Said Bensedira, a journalist previously aligned with the regime, has adopted a more critical stance. In a series of YouTube videos, Bensedira expressed dissatisfaction with Algeria’s governance, sparing the military leadership but criticizing the presidency and government. His nuanced position has sparked debates about whether his populist rhetoric is signaling a shift or an attempt to manage growing public dissent.
In the meantime, Tebboune announced on December 25, on Christmas Day during Channukah, that he has decided to pardon nearly 2,500 prisoners detained or convicted of various charges along with so-called “calming measures,” Radio Algeria International tweeted yesterday. While it is not clear whether those will include any of the 500 Kabyle political prisoners prosecuted under the notorious Article 87 bis of the Criminal Code, some for attempting to keep churches open and practicing their Christian religion, the move does suggest government concern over a resurrection of the populist movement that unseated his predecessor.
The planned January 1 protests represent a critical juncture for Algeria. Analysts suggest two potential outcomes: either the Hirak resurgence forces meaningful change, or the regime’s repressive apparatus stifles dissent even further through fear and arrests.
For now, Algerians remain resolute, leveraging digital platforms to bypass government censorship and rally support. The #Manich_Rady movement, though rooted in economic despair, has become a symbol of broader demands for freedom, transparency, and the end of military rule.
As the nation approaches this pivotal date, the stakes are higher than ever. Algerians face a choice between continuing their fight for justice or succumbing to the regime’s oppressive tactics. The outcome of this struggle will shape Algeria’s future and its quest for a government that prioritizes the needs of its people over entrenched power structures.