Algerian President Calls for Death Penalty as Wildfires Kill 12

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has demanded that Algeria reinstate the death penalty for arson, following a frightening series of forest fires that have already claimed at least 12 lives and set many homes ablaze in the country’s northeast.

He instructed the justice ministry to draft changes to the criminal code, targeting a 15 September deadline for the amendment. Under the current laws, deliberate arson can bring up to 30 years in prison or life imprisonment, but no execution has occurred since 1993.

The president also opened an investigation into the possibility of deliberate sabotage amid the intensity of the fires, stating that he does not rule out foul play. He promised the government would conduct thorough inquiries into the damage and losses caused, while also promising compensation to affected families and reparations to damaged homes and essential services.

In recent days the northeast of Algeria has recorded more than 100 wildfires, the majority of them extinguished thanks to civil authorities and volunteer efforts. The blaze raged alongside an extreme heatwave that has also battered Tunisia and other North African nations, sharpening concerns over climate‑driven fire risks.

In addition to the legal push, the president urged preliminary preventive measures while the flames were still burning, noting the profound impact on people who were displaced and those who lost land and property. This call for a capital punishment for arsonists is a stark reminder of the critical state of the region during a time of intensifying wildfire activity.

For more coverage on African climate and unrest, visit BBCAfrica.com and follow BBC Africa on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.