In a stark response to a devastating wave of wildfires, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has called for the reinstatement of the death penalty for arsonists.
More than 100 forest fires erupted in the north‑east of Algeria in the past week, the most intense in recent memory. At least 12 people have died, hundreds have been injured and thousands displaced. The president noted that Algeria has introduced capital punishment in its penal code for certain crimes, yet no executions have been carried out since 1993.
The chief executive has ordered an overhaul of the criminal law to allow the death penalty for individuals convicted of deliberately starting fires in forested areas. He set a deadline of 15 September for the changes to be finalized.
Under current statutes, arson can carry a maximum sentence of 30 years, or life imprisonment in extreme cases. The president also hinted at possible foul play, insisting that investigations must address the intensity and scale of the blaze.
Emergency services have fought to control the majority of new incidents. Algerian Press Service noted that 18 out of 19 fires that ignited in the previous 24 hours had been extinguished.
The government announced compensation for affected families and ordered repairs to damaged houses and critical infrastructure. Officials warned that climate change and a severe heatwave are escalating both the frequency and fury of wildfires across North Africa.
With the ongoing crisis, Tebboune’s appeal underscores the urgency for enhanced legal deterrence and a strengthened disaster response framework, as the nation grapples with an environment that is increasingly hostile to its people and ecosystems.
