Wednesday 28 June 2023
By Joy Osiagwu
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Celebrates Independence July 3
Famous as a gateway between Africa and Europe, Algeria is a North African country with borders around Tunisia and Libya to the east, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Morocco and Western Sahara to the west, a Mediterranean coastline and a Saharan desert interior with a population of 44,758,398.
The nation with its capital Algiers has a unique story of several empires and dynasties. Algeria was colonized by the French in the late 19th century and early 20th century and gained independence in 1962 after a bloody eight-year struggle. Charles de Gaulle had declared that the Algerians could take control of their future, so an agreement was signed in 1962, leading to the nation’s independence.
Culture
Algerians cherish interpersonal relationships and invest in trust and friendships. They believe in the preservation of reputation and honor.
Algeria is Africa’s second-biggest country and the world’s 10th-largest. The government is also known for oil and gas reserves discovered in the 1950s. The common Languages spoken are Arabic, Tamazight, and French. The country became a member of the United Nations in 1962
Algeria became a member of the United Nations in 1962.
Current Governance Structure
Algeria operates a semi-presidential republic, a system that allows the President to perform the duties of a head of state. At the same time, the Prime Minister takes on the role of the head of government: the government, the parliament, and the Council of the Nation control legislative power.
The current president of Algeria is Abdelmadjid Tebboune. He won the election on December 12, 2019, and assumed office on December 19. He succeeded former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Acting Head of State Abdelkader Bensalah in 2019.
Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria ruled the country from 1999. He was the longest-serving head of state. He resigned after a massive protest against his leadership for two decades.
Trending News
The former Prime Minister of Algeria, Noureddine Bedoui and former Minister of Health, Abdelmalek Bouiaf have been sentenced to five years in prison and fined one million dinars, equivalent of seven thousand, three hundred and eighty-three dollars. The Algerian State press agency reports that they were sentenced by the Economic and financial Penal Court in the Municipality of Sidi M’hamed in a corruption case.
Algerian Connections in Ottawa
The Algerian Community of Ottawa/Gatineau is on Facebook with over one point six thousand followers. You can look at the page to see people and events in the community.
https://www.facebook.com/AlgeriancommunityofOttawaGatineau
Bilateral Relations with Canada
Algeria and Canada share excellent diplomatic ties as far back as 1962—Algeria, an essential actor in North Africa, partners with Canada in the global fight against terrorism. The 2021 census reports that the Algerian diaspora in Canada comprised 73,775 people, especially in Montreal. Algeria is also the fourth most significant source of immigrants to Quebec, after France, Haiti, and Morocco. Citizenship and Immigration Canada reports that in 2022, 7,510 Algerian students were studying in Canada.
The Algerian Embassy in Ottawa is at 500 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N2.
Tel: (613) 789-8505 | (613) 789-0282
Fax: (613) 789-1406