Algeria
After the civil war in Algeria (1991–2001), the government implemented a national demobilisation and disarmament programme, which pardoned armed fighters who voluntarily laid down their weapons.1 Numerous reports also state that, since the beginning of the conflict in Libya, Algeria has experienced a significant proliferation of weapons and ammunition from Libya,2 and that the Algerian authorities regularly seize weapons and ammunition illegally owned by non-state armed groups – mostly in the areas bordering Libya, Niger and Mali.3
In terms of weapons and ammunition management, Algeria implemented a national legal framework on the possession and use of weapons and ammunition. The Algerian National Popular Army (ANP) also notably conducts ammunition disposal activities.4
1 Dalia Ghanem-Yazbeck, “Algeria’s Peace Process: Spoilers, Failures and Successes,” POMEPS Studies 30 (2018): 38-43, https://pomeps.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/POMEPS_Studies_30.pdf.
2 Jalel Harchaoui, Too Close For Comfort: How Algeria Faces the Libyan Conflict (Geneva: Small Arms Survey, 2018), p. 11, https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/resources/SAS-SANA-BP-Algeria-Libya.pdf; Nicholas Marsh, “Brothers Came Back with Weapons: The Effects of Arms Proliferation from Libya,” PRISM 6, no. 4 (2017): 78-97, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26470483.
3 Francesco Strazzari and Francesca Zampagni, “Illicit Firearms Circulation and the Politics of Upheaval in North Africa,” in Triggering Terror: Illicit Gun Markets and Firearms Acquisition of Terrorist Networks in Europe, ed. Nils Duquet (Brussels: Flemish Peace Institute, 2018), pp. 435-460, https://flemishpeaceinstitute.eu/safte/files/project_safte_eu_neighbourhood_north-africa.pdf; "Importantes quantités d'armes découvertes en Algérie," BBC News Afrique, May 31, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/afrique/region-48469321; "Destruction d’une casemate pour terroristes et récupération d’une quantité d’armes à Tizi Ouzou," Algérie Presse Service, April 5, 2022, https://www.aps.dz/algerie/138203-destruction-d-une-casemate-pour-terroristes-et-recuperation-d-une-quantite-d-armes-a-tizi-ouzou.
4 "Le Général d'Armée Saïd Chanegriha inaugure l'unité de démilitarisation des munitions à Djelfa," Algérie Presse Service, August 6, 2022, https://www.aps.dz/algerie/143584-le-general-d-armee-said-chanegriha-inaugure-l-unite-de-demilitarisation-des-munitions-a-djelfa.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the Small Arms Survey began collecting data in 1979, no accidental explosions have been reported in Algeria.
Source: “Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS) Database,” Small Arms Survey, updated December 15, 2021, https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems.
Cases of diversion
Insufficient information on cases of diversion in Algeria.
Disposal
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Algeria.
Needs
No needs have been reported for Algeria.
