Social Movements Post-conflict: Youth Activism and the Algerian Hirak

In the second wave of Arab Uprisings, Algerian youth played significant roles in the 2019 hirak movement, with fifty-four weeks of marches. This intergenerational social movement saw the removal of president Bouteflika, affecting popular consciousness as to the possibility of change. Though youth participation in formal politics remains low, new repertoires of youth activism have emerged, drawing on historical legacies of the Independence struggle. Whereas previous studies emphasise risk aversion and obstacles for social movements in post-conflict settings, the Algerian hirak, through creative and peaceful protest, enabled new narratives and learning from past conflicts. These new ways of mobilising politically, rejecting attempts to provoke violence, instead repeating the word silmiya or peaceful, became a source of pride. These alternative narratives are important to understand the potential of youth activism and social movements in post-conflict contexts, to tackle mistrust and fear, maintain non-violent protest and inspire reflection about more peaceful futures.