By Lord Risby - 2nd February 2012
Lord Risby calls for the UK to develop stronger links with Algeria, given the country's enthusiasm and geopolitical significance in the region.
There can be few countries which have experienced more traumatic times than Algeria in the past 60 years. The French colonial experience was an unhappy one, complicated by over one million white settlers, and Algeria being administered like a French département. The war of independence involved savagery on both sides. Elections in 1991 produced an extreme Islamist government, eventually overthrown by the military, but this resulted in up to 200,000 deaths and social trauma which left deep scars in the nation’s psyche.
Whatever may bubble underneath, the country has for some time been remarkably stable, as it surveys the social and political tensions which have erupted amongst most of its neighbours. It has huge natural gas deposits, enormous foreign exchange reserves and low inflation. Like many other Arab countries, nearly 70 per cent of the population is under 30, with all the employment difficulties that implies.
But the government’s wealth has enabled it to heavily subsidise basic commodities, increase salaries and initiate major infrastructure programmes. A state of emergency has been lifted, restrictions on the media have been modified, and other liberalising constitutional innovations introduced. Elections this year will be monitored externally, and the new parliament will have a substantial number of women members, on a quota system. Inevitably there is nervousness about the forthcoming elections: extreme Islamist parties will not be participating. The hope is repeatedly expressed that their much-prized stability will endure.
Britain has long had very good relationships with a number of Arab countries, and memories of our Iraq involvement are fading. However, we have never had close relationships with the Arab countries of North Africa. That is now changing.
In a recent visit to Algeria, it was clear how strong the goodwill towards us is, and their desire to befriend us. William Hague, David Howell and Alistair Burt have made successful visits to the country. The importance of the English language is fully understood, and there are a number of very successful and profitable British companies operating there. However, in commercial terms, we lag well behind countries like France and Germany.
Given Algerians’ positive view of us, an open door has been presented for us to develop much stronger links. Additionally, they are keen to have a relationship with the Commonwealth, another example of their enthusiasm.
This week l shall raise Algeria on the floor of the House of Lords. We need to upgrade our contact with and knowledge of this vast and beautiful country, which looks so benignly on us, and which is so geopolitically important in such a turbulent part of the world.
Lord Risby was raised to the peerage as Baron Risby, of Haverhill in the County of Suffolk in 2010.
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