A Nationwide Truck Drivers’ Strike Disrupts Supplies and Puts the Algerian Government in a Prolonged Standoff

🗓️ Published on: 01/01/2026

A nationwide strike by truck drivers began on Thursday, January 1, 2026, across several Algerian provinces, following a call that had been widely circulated on social media in recent days. The strike drew a strong response from its very first day, immediately affecting supply chains—most notably in the fuel sector—where severe shortages were reported at petrol stations and long queues formed in several cities.

Supply disruptions and early signs of a fuel crisis

Within the first hours of the strike,clear signs of its impact began to emerge, particularly at fuel stations, which experienced significant shortages of gasoline and diesel due to the halt or sharp reduction in truck traffic. Activists shared photos and videos on social media documenting long lines of vehicles, amid growing concerns that the situation could worsen if the protest continues in the coming days.

This comes amidst an already tense situation, as Algerians began the new year with a sudden and significant increase in gasoline and fuel prices, estimated at more than 3 dinars, without any prior announcement or explanation from public authorities. This abrupt rise, coinciding with a truck drivers' strike, exacerbated public anxiety and deepened the perception of a lack of transparency in economic decisions that directly impact purchasing power and the daily lives of citizens.

Gatherings and heavy security presence in the south and east

On the ground, the southern provinces of Ouargla and Tamanrasset witnessed gatherings of striking truck drivers, alongside a heavy security presence tasked with monitoring the situation and identifying drivers believed to be leading the protest.

In Setif province, in eastern Algeria, large groups of truck drivers were reported to have gathered along bypass roads, with a visible deployment of National Gendarmerie forces as a precautionary measure. No clashes or violent incidents have been reported so far, according to available information.

Rejection of the new traffic law at the core of the demands

The striking drivers are primarily protesting the new traffic law, which they argue imposes harsh and disproportionate penalties on truck drivers while failing to address the real causes of road accidents.

According to the protesters, poor road conditions, deteriorated infrastructure, the absence of safety standards at construction sites, and inadequate road maintenance are the main drivers of accidents—not driver behavior alone. They also denounce the poor quality of many public works projects, despite the billions allocated from the state treasury, arguing that enforcing “repressive” legislation without first addressing structural deficiencies amounts to further injustice against professionals in the sector.

Absence of union representation complicates any resolution

This strike unfolds in a particularly complex context, as it is not backed by any officially recognized trade union. Observers link this vacuum to the repression of independent truck drivers’ representatives in recent years, following attempts to establish a sector-specific union..

The absence of formal union representation makes structured negotiations virtually impossible and leaves the government facing a large-scale protest without a declared leadership or a clear channel for dialogue.

A critical test for the government

Under these circumstances, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s government finds itself in a delicate position, especially if the strike persists or expands. Some observers believe that a prolonged standoff could force the authorities to seek urgent solutions, including suspending or repealing the new traffic law and reverting to the previous framework, or at minimum opening a serious dialogue on revising its provisions, alongside concrete commitments to road rehabilitation and improved safety standards.

Uncertain outcomes

For now, the future of the strike remains unclear, with scenarios ranging from its continuation over the coming days to a possible suspension should the authorities move to de-escalate the situation. What is already clear, however, is that the heavy transport sector has demonstrated its capacity to disrupt vital segments of the economy—and that ignoring its demands, or responding solely through security measures, risks further escalation rather than containment.