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| Movement of Society for Peace | |
|---|---|
| Name | Movement of Society for Peace |
| Native name | Mouvement de la Société pour la Paix |
| Foundation | 1990 |
| Founder | Mahfoud Nahnah |
| Headquarters | Algiers |
| Ideology | Islamism, Social conservatism, Political Islam |
| Position | Centre-right politics |
| International | Muslim Brotherhood |
| Seats1 title | People's National Assembly |
Movement of Society for Peace The Movement of Society for Peace is an Algerian Islamist political party founded in 1990 during the aftermath of the October 1988 riots and the introduction of the Law on Associations. It emerged amid the rise of parties such as the Islamic Salvation Front and the National Liberation Front, positioning itself within post-Algerian Civil War politics while interacting with actors like Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Liamine Zéroual, Ali Benflis and institutions such as the High Islamic Council.
The party was established by Mahfoud Nahnah in the context of political liberalization after the 1988 Algerian uprising, alongside movements including the Islamic Renaissance Movement and the Movement for Democracy in Algeria. During the early 1990s it competed with the Islamic Salvation Front and confronted the aftermath of the 1991–2002 Algerian Civil War while engaging with the Constitution of Algeria reforms of 1996. After Nahnah's death the leadership passed to figures who negotiated participation in cabinets under presidents such as Liamine Zéroual and later Abdelaziz Bouteflika, interacting with parties like the National Rally for Democracy and the Hirak-aligned movements. The party has contested parliamentary cycles alongside alliances with the National Front for Justice and has adapted to political events including the 2019 Algerian protests and the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The party espouses Islamism and Social conservatism with an emphasis on Sharia-compatible legal reforms, positioning itself comparatively with actors like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Ennahda Movement. Policy priorities have referenced social welfare programs similar to proposals by the Socialist Forces Front while advocating for family law influenced by interpretations from institutions such as the High Islamic Council. On foreign policy it has taken stances regarding Western Sahara and relations with France, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. The party's platform intersects with debates involving the Constitutional Council (Algeria), the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Wakfs, and international issues like the Arab Spring and responses to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Leadership historically centered on figures including founder Mahfoud Nahnah and subsequent presidents who coordinated with regional offices in provinces such as Oran, Constantine, Annaba, and Blida. The party maintains internal bodies analogous to a general assembly, executive bureau and youth wing, paralleling structures in parties like the FLN and the Rally for Culture and Democracy. It has engaged with civil institutions such as the Algerian Bar Association and student bodies at universities like the University of Algiers and University of Oran. Organizational links extend to international networks through association with transnational movements like the Muslim Brotherhood and cooperation with parties such as Ennahda and the Justice and Development Party (Morocco).
The party has participated in multiple legislative and presidential elections, fielding candidates in contests including those featuring Liamine Zéroual, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Ali Benflis, and Abdelkader Bensalah. It has won seats in the People's National Assembly and municipal councils across provinces such as Sétif and Tizi Ouzou, competing with parties like the National Rally for Democracy and the Workers' Party (Algeria). Electoral strategies have varied between contesting independently and forming coalitions similar to those seen with the Movement for the Society of Peace's regional counterparts in North Africa, influencing outcomes in the 1991, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 cycles and responding to electoral law changes overseen by the Constitutional Council (Algeria).
Critics including members of the Rally for Culture and Democracy and secular activists from groups such as the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights have accused the party of compromising with regimes led by Abdelaziz Bouteflika and alleged inconsistencies regarding democratic reform during events like the 2019 Algerian protests. Debates have arisen over positions on the Family Code, associations with transnational Islamist currents including the Muslim Brotherhood, and responses to extremist violence linked to groups such as Armed Islamic Group of Algeria. Media outlets and commentators referencing institutions like El Watan and El Khabar have scrutinized internal governance and election tactics.
Domestically the party has engaged in tactical alliances and rivalries with parties including the FLN, National Rally for Democracy, Workers' Party (Algeria), Rally for Culture and Democracy, and Movement for the Society of Peace's regional Islamic counterparts. Internationally it is often associated with the Muslim Brotherhood network and has links to parties such as Ennahda, the Justice and Development Party (Turkey), and the Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt), participating in dialogues on issues shared with organizations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.