In an effort to appease the demands of Algerian protesters, the government of Algeria approved the lifting of the state of emergency status following massive ongoing demonstrations.
On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers presided by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, approved a draft ordinance ending the 19-year-long state of emergency, reported Algerian Press Service (APS).
The lifting of the country’s martial law was demanded by and promised to the demonstrators weeks ago, but the government only came closer to fulfilling that promise on Tuesday.
According to APS, the council published a statement saying, “The draft ordinance will come into force upon its imminent publication in the Official Journal.”
In1992 the measure was enacted to “restore public order and better ensure the safety of persons and property and good functioning of public services,” after the local election was canceled, resulting in a bloody guerilla war by Islamist militants, from 1991–1999. Estimates of the number of casualties during the war range from 70,000 to 200,000.
The move effectively limits the military’s involvement in domestic issues, however, according to Al Arabiya, demonstrations are still prohibited for an indefinite period of time.
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