Past events echo in Algeria.
Time after time situations appear with bear uncanny resemblances to bygone situations and watersheds. The current crisis between a military-backed government and Islamist guerilla groups has produced more than its fair share of repetitions. The recent announcement of legislative elections for June 5 this year along with the President's party being formed, worsening drought conditions and the ongoing civil war create ominous signposts for the future in this war-torn North African state. Following the military suspension of the elections and banning of the FIS, armed groups emerged which have combatted the military much in the form of the ALN of the 1950s. The army weakened and divided the FIS prior to the 1991 elections, but could not prevent the party from securing almost a total majority of the National Popular Assembly in just the first round.