Human rights commission appointed as part of reconciliation process said security services abducted 5,200 civilians 1992-2000. Police chief Tounsi said 300-500 militants remained committed to overthrow of regime; 75 were under sentence of death or prison in absentia. Man and 2 daughters killed by Salafi Group for Preaching and Combat at Khraissia, near Algiers, 28 December. Rioters clashed with police over housing shortages near Oran; city hall attacked in Bou Saada. Government promised $50bn development plan.

Algeria continued peace consolidation, with President Bouteflika suggesting general amnesty during ceremonies for 50th anniversary of independence war; amnesty would cover both Islamists and army. IMF report same day pointed to positive economic growth outlook. But Salafi Group for Preaching and Combat remained active; 2 soldiers killed and 3 wounded in separate attacks Jijil province 460km east Algiers and Sidi Bel Abbas province 400km west Algiers.

Sporadic violence continued: 16 civilians killed 22 October in attack south of Algiers; 2 policemen, 2 soldiers and 1 civilian died in ambush 25 October in Kabilya. Attacks blamed on Islamic militants marking Ramadan. Group for Salafist Preaching and Combat terrorist Amar Saifi, a.k.a. Abderrezak El Para, in Algerian custody after capture by Chadian rebels March. African Union anti-terrorism research unit opened Algiers 13 October. President Bouteflika visit to South Africa resulted in combined call for independence referendum in Western Sahara.

Group for Salafist Preaching and Combat (GSPC) Islamic rebels announced 33 year-old bomb-maker Abou Mossaab Abdelouadoud new leader 6 September; Nabil Sahraoui, previous leader, killed by Algerian army June. Militants killed 4 civilians, including customs’ officer, 18 September in Bouira, 90km southeast Algiers. Six killed in GSPC attack Ain Defla 180 km west of Algiers 28 September. Security sweep continued eastern Algeria leading to further deaths.

Editor of French-language daily Le Matin, Mohamed Benchicou, failed in appeal on 2-year prison sentence 11 August, amid media clampdown. Two members of Algerian security forces killed in Bouira, southeast of Algiers, 18 August. Further 7 soldiers killed in ambush east of Algiers 25 August by Group for Salafist Preaching and Combat (GSPC). 4 Islamic militants killed in Algerian army operations.

In positive development, hardline Chief of Staff Lt. General Mohammed Lamari offered resignation, indicating President Bouteflika’s growing authority over defence ministry and security policy. Ongoing media crackdown, with Al-Jazeera temporarily banned 2 July; Le Matin editor’s appeal of 2-year sentence to be heard 11 August. Having admitted June power-station explosion was car bomb, security forces claimed success against Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat with death of 9 gunmen east of Algiers 23 July.

Nabil Sahrawi, leader of Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), killed in major operation east of Algiers 20 June. GSPC severely weakened after death of founder, Hassan Hattab, and Chadian capture of top Salafist Amari Saifi last month. Power plant blast 21 June initially thought accidental later claimed by GSPC as retaliation bombing. Editor of Le Matin newspaper jailed for 2 years 14 June: independent press facing crackdown since April reelection of President Bouteflika.

Chadian MDJT rebels claimed to hold Algerian-born Amari Saifi, leader of radical Salafist Islamic GSPC organisation. Saifi’s al-Qaeda affiliated organisation opposes Algeria’s secular government; was responsible for 2003 kidnapping of 32 European tourists. GSPC killed 2 Algerian soldiers 18 May and wounded 13 others in roadside explosion at Setif, eastern Algeria.

Government declared 8 April presidential election "turning point for democratisation" after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika reelected with 85% of vote. In qualified step forward, Algerian military, which has in past sponsored presidential candidates, affected neutral posture. Although voting mostly free, disqualification of certain candidates and surprising scale of president's victory raised questions as to its fairness.

Candidates began campaigning ahead of 8 April presidential election, which President Bouteflika favoured to win. Protesters in Kabylia region expected to go ahead with planned boycott of poll but part of Kabyle electorate likely to vote. Skirmishes between military and Islamist rebels continued. U.S. special forces reported to be active in Sahel region (Mali and Niger) but presence in southern Algeria has been officially denied.