ALGERIA GOVT VS ISLAMIC REBELS, GIA
Years: 1990-2005 | Est. deaths: 100 000
Published prior to 2013
UCDP: "Following a bloody seven-and-a-half year war of independence, Algeria gained independence from France in 1962. Subsequently, practically all skilled workers left the country, plunging the economy into chaos. The economic situation did not improve during the following 27 years of socialist one-party rule, under the Front de libératin nationale (FLN). During the 1980s, an ever growing gap between the youthful population, lacking job and housing, and the political elite became increasingly apparent. In the late 1980s, this gap was made clearly visible in violent strikes and riots, shaking the regime. Following the riots, a multiparty system was introduced and the country’s first ever multi-party elections – for communal and provincial assembles – were held in June 1990. With the holding of elections, a clear threat to the regime emerged in the form of an Islamist political party, the Front islamique du salut (FIS). FIS quickly became the most potent opposition force in the country, as its anti-regime stance, coupled with Islamic values appealed to the urban poor. After the first round of parliamentary elections in 1991, convincingly won by FIS, the democratic process was halted by the army and the second round was subsequently cancelled. Amidst increasing political violence, FIS was outlawed in March 1992".
Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (Date of retrieval: ) UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia, Uppsala UniversityCDP: "Following a bloody seven-and-a-half year war of independence, Algeria gained independence from France in 1962. Subsequently, practically all skilled workers left the country, plunging the economy into chaos. The economic situation did not improve during the following 27 years of socialist one-party rule, under the Front de libératin nationale (FLN). During the 1980s, an ever growing gap between the youthful population, lacking job and housing, and the political elite became increasingly apparent. In the late 1980s, this gap was made clearly visible in violent strikes and riots, shaking the regime. Following the riots, a multiparty system was introduced and the country’s first ever multi-party elections – for communal and provincial assembles – were held in June 1990. With the holding of elections, a clear threat to the regime emerged in the form of an Islamist political party, the Front islamique du salut (FIS). FIS quickly became the most potent opposition force in the country, as its anti-regime stance, coupled with Islamic values appealed to the urban poor. After the first round of parliamentary elections in 1991, convincingly won by FIS, the democratic process was halted by the army and the second round was subsequently cancelled. Amidst increasing political violence, FIS was outlawed in March 1992".
[uu]