President Tebboune orders urgent Penal Code amendments as authorities investigate devastating fires across multiple provinces….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered amendments to the country’s Penal Code to introduce the death penalty with immediate execution for those found guilty of deliberately starting wildfires, following a series of devastating blazes in several provinces.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Presidency headquarters on Sunday to review the aftermath of recent wildfires in eastern and central Algeria, Tebboune instructed the Justice Minister to complete the proposed legal amendments before September 15.
He said the amendments related to arson should be submitted to the government this week before being presented to the People’s National Assembly, Algeria’s lower house of parliament.
“Anyone who believes the law will not be enforced should know that society and justice will exact their due from him,” Tebboune said, according to a statement from the Presidency.
The President also directed governors of provinces affected by the fires to provide security services with all relevant information, adding that several people suspected of involvement in starting the blazes had already been arrested.
Tebboune raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the outbreaks, noting that it was unusual for multiple fires to erupt simultaneously and spread rapidly despite an apparent absence of strong winds.
“We are deeply affected by the loss of our citizens’ lives, but that will not defeat us,” he said, vowing that Algeria would withstand attempts to destabilise the country.
The meeting also focused on relief and reconstruction efforts for communities affected by the fires. Tebboune ordered the establishment of assessment commissions to survey the destruction and determine the full extent of losses.
The Finance Ministry is finalising a compensation package, with the President pledging that victims would be reimbursed for losses caused by the fires, irrespective of their nature.
He also instructed the Housing Ministry to work with provincial authorities to provide immediate accommodation for displaced residents and help restore normal life in affected areas.
An expert working group will additionally be formed to review construction standards for homes located in forested regions, with the aim of improving protection against future wildfire risks.
Tebboune further ordered the rapid restoration of essential services, saying drinking water, gas, electricity and telecommunications networks in affected areas should be fully operational by next Saturday at the latest.
“The priority now is to confront and counter anyone who attempts to weaken Algeria and undermine its unity,” the President said, stressing that the country remained capable of overcoming the crisis.
