Adopted by the Council of Ministers on April 20, Algeria's draft law on general mobilization signals a significant shift in the country's security policy. It calls for the recall of reservists, centralized oversight by the Ministry of Defense, and strict obligations for citizens—including the reporting of individuals from so-called «hostile» states. The legislation comes amid rising regional tensions and as the army denounces hostile campaigns on social media. The general mobilization bill adopted by Algeria's Council of Ministers on April 20 outlines sweeping measures aimed at strengthening the country's defense capabilities. According to Echouroukonline, the bill is designed to «bolster the nation's defensive power and enhance the capabilities of the armed forces by providing them with all available human resources and necessary material means». The goal is to enable the military «to fulfill its mission of defending national unity and territorial integrity and to protect Algeria's land, air, and maritime spaces under optimal conditions». The legislation prioritizes the armed forces' needs, including a shift from a state of peace to wartime readiness, notably through the «recall of reserve soldiers». It grants the Minister of Defense authority to «oversee all activities related to the preparation and execution of general mobilization», via a mechanism involving relevant ministries, agencies, and national institutions. Under the supervision of the President of the Republic, the ministry will also «study, analyze, and utilize data and information related to the mobilization». The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked with «raising awareness among Algerians abroad about national defense» and informing both public opinion and international and regional bodies «of the legitimacy of resorting to general mobilization in the event of aggression or imminent threat». Citizens urged to report individuals from «hostile states» The bill also places significant responsibilities on civilians. «Every citizen must comply with the procedures and measures related to general mobilization», the text states. It further prohibits the sharing of any information—particularly via digital platforms—that could undermine or hinder the mobilization process. In a controversial clause, Algerians are instructed to «immediately report to the relevant public authorities any citizen from a hostile state present on national territory, or any action likely to obstruct the mobilization process». Sanctions are outlined for non-compliance. Algerians who «intentionally withhold requested information from authorities, or provide incomplete or false information», risk prison terms ranging from two months to three years and fines of 20,000 to 300,000 dinars (€130 to €2,000). According to Article 53 of the bill, «any person who discloses information or makes statements about the preparation or implementation of general mobilization without prior authorization from the competent authorities» faces a sentence of two months to one year in prison or a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 dinars. Article 59 stipulates penalties of up to three years in prison for individuals recruited under general mobilization who abandon or refuse to continue their duties without legal justification. Last week, Ferhat Mehenni, leader of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), publicly stated that Kabylie «is not concerned» by Algeria's general mobilization. Meanwhile, during a visit to the headquarters of the 4th Military Region in Ouargla, General Saïd Chengriha, head of the armed forces and Minister Delegate for National Defense, lamented what he described as an online «war» being waged against Algeria by unknown actors on social media. Algeria currently finds itself in open conflict or diplomatic crisis with nearly all of its neighbors—Morocco, Mali, Niger, and the eastern part of Libya under Marshal Khalifa Haftar—with the exception of Tunisia and Mauritania.
