Algeria Bolsters Military Readiness Amid Rising Tensions with Morocco

Is Algeria considering the possibility of war? It has just adopted a Law on the Military Reserve that says a lot. Article 3 of this law stipulates: "The reserve is tasked with reinforcing the ranks of the People’s National Army in order to deal with internal and external threats, in accordance with the Constitution and the legislation in force." Those who can be recalled to serve the ANP are "career military and contractual military personnel, of all ranks, admitted to the definitive cessation of service in the ranks of the People’s National Army and returned to civilian life, as well as "national service military personnel, of all ranks, who have fulfilled their national service obligations, admitted to the definitive cessation of activity and returned to civilian life."

In what cases can reservists be recalled? They can be recalled "in peacetime, as part of the training and maintenance of the reserve, for periods not exceeding a maximum of thirty days per year" or "in the event of general or partial mobilization according to the exceptional situations specified by the Constitution, the beginning and duration of which are defined by the presidential decree of recall."