ALGIERS, Algeria – President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced his intention to reinstate the death penalty for individuals convicted of intentionally starting forest fires, following a devastating wave of blazes that have claimed at least 12 lives across northern Algeria.
The announcement comes as more than 100 wildfires were recorded in recent days, primarily in the country’s north-eastern regions. While most fires have now been extinguished, the scale and intensity of the outbreaks have raised concerns about possible foul play.
A Shift in Criminal Law
President Tebboune has directed the Ministry of Justice to introduce amendments to the criminal code that would explicitly provide for capital punishment for arsonists. He set a firm deadline of September 15 for these legal changes to be completed.
Currently, Algerian law already allows for the death penalty in certain cases, though no execution has been carried out in the country since 1993. Existing penalties for deliberately starting forest fires range up to 30 years in prison, with life imprisonment possible under aggravated circumstances.
Speaking on Saturday, the president did not rule out the possibility that the recent fires were deliberately set. He emphasized that thorough investigations would be conducted, particularly given the unusual intensity of the blazes.
A Nation Battling the Flames
The fires erupted during an intense heatwave sweeping across North Africa, with Algeria and neighboring Tunisia bearing the brunt of the extreme weather conditions. The blazes have caused widespread destruction, injured dozens of people, and displaced thousands from their homes.
As of Sunday afternoon, Algerian civil authorities were still working to contain remaining fires. According to the official Algerian Press Service, 18 of the 19 fires that broke out in the previous 24 hours had been successfully extinguished.
Government Response and Compensation
In addition to his push for tougher penalties, President Tebboune has ordered that compensation be paid to affected families. The government will also oversee repairs to damaged homes and the restoration of essential services in impacted communities.
Authorities have announced plans to conduct comprehensive investigations into the extent of damage and losses caused by the fires, which will inform both relief efforts and future prevention strategies.
Climate Change and Seasonal Patterns
While Algeria regularly experiences forest fires during the summer months, experts note that climate change has significantly exacerbated the intensity and severity of recent wildfires. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts have created conditions that allow fires to spread more rapidly and cause greater destruction than in previous decades.
The combination of extreme weather and the potential for criminal activity has placed forest fire prevention high on the national agenda, with the president’s proposal representing one of the toughest legislative responses in the region.
