Amanze Chinonye
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered an amendment to the country’s Penal Code that would introduce the death penalty for people convicted of deliberately setting forest fires, after wildfires killed 12 people and injured 54.
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Tebboune directed Justice Minister Lotfi Boudjemaa on Sunday to prepare the amendment by Sept. 15 and submit it to the government this week before it is sent to the People’s National Assembly, Algeria’s state news agency APS reported.
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The measure is not yet law and must be approved through the legislative process before it can take effect. Tebboune said any death sentence would be carried out only after all legal appeals and procedures had been exhausted.
“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 APS.
The order followed wildfires that swept through several provinces in northeastern Algeria during an intense heatwave.
Interior Minister Said Sayoud said five people were killed in Jijel province, four in Béjaïa and three in Tizi Ouzou. Fifty-four people were injured, including six who were in critical condition.
Algeria’s Civil Protection service reported 154 fires across the country over a 24-hour period.
Tebboune ordered governors in affected provinces to provide security agencies with information on the fires and said several suspects had been arrested. He cited concerns over fires that broke out simultaneously in different areas, including some that started around 1 a.m. and spread rapidly despite an absence of wind.
Authorities have not established that all of the fires were deliberately started.
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The president also ordered the authorities to assess the damage and compensate affected residents. The Finance Ministry is finalising the compensation package, while the Housing Ministry was instructed to provide immediate accommodation for people displaced by the fires.
Tebboune ordered the creation of an expert group to review housing standards in forested areas and reduce future fire risks. He also directed authorities to restore drinking water, gas, electricity and telecommunications services in affected areas by Saturday at the latest.
Algeria already retains the death penalty for certain serious offences but has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1993.
Under existing legislation, deliberately setting forest fires can carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years, with life imprisonment possible in aggravated cases. If parliament approves the proposed amendment and it is enacted, deliberate forest arson would become punishable by death.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
