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n a world increasingly tainted by democratic backsliding and authoritarian resurgence, it is easy to fall into despair. Yet, amid the swirling instability of today’s geopolitical landscape, the hope for democracy remains.
I recently attended a global forum on Asian democracy where I witnessed that firsthand among the participants. More than a gathering, it was a reminder of the shared challenges and triumphs that unite nations striving for freedom and justice.
As an Algerian citizen, I was struck by the similarities I found between my North African country and nations on another continent. For context, Algeria’s journey toward democracy is deeply entwined with its post-colonial struggles and political instability – much like many Asian countries.
Following its independence from France in 1962, Algeria experienced a brief period of political openness. But this was abruptly curtailed three decades later when the military intervened to cancel elections that were poised to bring the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) to power.
This action plunged the nation into what is now known as the “Black Decade,” a brutal civil war throughout the 1990s marked by abductions, violence, and a de facto state of emergency that resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 deaths and left lasting scars on Algerian society and the country’s governance structures.
In 1999, Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected president, bringing a semblance of stability and progress to a nation weary of conflict. But his extended tenure – spanning four terms over 20 years – was marred by allegations of corruption. In 2019, his bid for a fifth term sparked the Hirak movement, a series of mass protests that ultimately led to his resignation.
Under the current President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who was elected in December 2019, there has been a notable crackdown on dissent, with increased restrictions on civil society and the press. This has led to widespread disillusionment among Algerians regarding the prospects for genuine democratic governance.
Algeria’s ongoing struggles gave me a lens through which to view the discussions at the forum including the shared challenges of countries navigating democratic transformation. Organized by the Korea Democracy Foundation (KDF), the forum created a platform for dialogue among activists, scholars, and civil society leaders from Asia and beyond.
While it celebrated the resilience of the Asian democratic journey, it also confronted the ongoing struggles across the region. From the fight against military regimes in Myanmar to the challenges of post-colonial governance in South Asia, the stories shared resonated deeply with me as I saw in them Algeria’s own turmoil with its history and the unfinished work of democratic transformation there.
A constant fight
One of the most compelling narratives at the forum came from Samia, an undergraduate law student from Bangladesh who joined the Bangladeshi Monsoon Movement last August.
She shared how women played a pivotal role in the movement, defying state-enforced regulations and taking to the streets for days in a row, despite threats and outright physical assaults. One of the most prominent incidents she recounted involved female students defying curfews to protest at night, showcasing immense courage and resilience.
Samia’s story reminded me of the Hirak movement, where similar efforts sought to dismantle entrenched systems of power. The Hirak movement successfully pushed for the imprisonment of corrupt officials and halted Bouteflika’s candidacy.
Unfortunately, the movement has since faced severe setbacks, with civic society under tight surveillance and abrupt imprisonments of journalists and activists. Many supporters of the Hirak have since then moved abroad, seeking to continue their advocacy from safer environments.
Reflecting on the forum’s discussions and what has been happening in Algeria – as well as in South Korea, where I have been living for over three years now as a graduate student – has led me to look at democracy as an ongoing process, a constant fight that evolves with time and circumstances.
For example, Algeria’s Hirak, while yielding some positive outcomes, also serves as a cautionary tale. The gains it achieved were short-lived as COVID-19 enabled the government to tighten its grip on public freedoms. Similarly, in December 2024, South Korea faced a democratic challenge when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, citing threats from “anti-state forces” and alleged North Korean conspiracies.
The move sparked immediate bipartisan opposition and nationwide protests, ultimately leading to its swift rescission and a public apology from the president. This incident underscores the fragility of democratic institutions and aligns with the forum’s discussions on the need for constant vigilance and collective action to safeguard democracy.
South Korea’s democratic journey, marked by decades of struggle against colonial rule, military dictatorship, and external pressures, actually offers a compelling case study. Notwithstanding its current political crisis, it remains a democratic powerhouse.
But the country’s transformation into one did not happen overnight. It required the sustained efforts of ordinary citizens, grassroots movements, and visionary leaders.
This narrative struck a chord with me as I reflected on Algeria’s parallel history. Both nations bear the scars of colonization – 132 years under French rule for Algeria, and 35 years under Japanese imperialism for Korea.
Both have wrestled with the legacies of authoritarianism. Yet, where South Korea has moved forward, Algeria remains entangled in systemic corruption and stagnation, requiring what many of us now call a “second liberation.”
Myanmar’s ongoing resistance against military rule provided another memory jog. The stories of activists in the Southeast Asian nation facing imprisonment, surveillance, and violence are much like those of Algerians in post-colonial struggles.
Both Myanmar and Algeria grapple with regimes that exploit historical wounds to maintain control, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of their failures. The parallels are striking, underscoring the universal truth that the fight for democracy is not confined to a singular region; it is a global endeavor. These narratives also highlighted the importance of solidarity, which took on a new, personal dimension as I considered the lessons Algeria could draw from Asia.
The forum highlighted as well the resilience of civil society in Asia, where the struggle for democracy often intersects with the fight to preserve cultural identities. In Bangladesh, for example, activists recounted the challenges of navigating a fragile political landscape marked by Internet shutdowns, media censorship, and violent crackdowns.
There is also South Korea’s ability to mobilize civil society, its emphasis on education and youth engagement, and its commitment to transitional justice.
Not a solitary pursuit
Post-revolution challenges were put under a spotlight, too. At the event, Bangladesh interim government member and youth mentor Mustain Billah said that his country is seeking international solidarity to sustain its progress.
Through guidance from KDF, Billah picked up strategies such as securing recognition within international organizations like the United Nations and establishing memorials or archival foundations to preserve their history.
To me, that discussion over how a post-Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh can move forward was proof that achieving liberation is just the beginning; without careful planning, it can leave room for regressive forces to take over a nation, as seen in Afghanistan with the resurgence of the Taliban.
All these offer valuable insights for nations like mine. At the same time, Algeria’s history of anti-colonial resistance serves as a reminder of the power of collective action – a lesson that remains relevant for Asian nations still navigating their democratic journeys.
Beyond the regional parallels, the forum’s discussions showcased the evolving nature of democracy itself. It is neither static nor linear. Rather, it is a dynamic process, shaped by the people who demand it and the systems they seek to change.
Democracy, as the forum underlined, is not a solitary pursuit but is built on connections – between movements, between nations, and between individuals who believe in a better future.
Growing up in Algeria, I had been encouraged to steer clear of politics, as many of us were. The prevailing belief was that our governments were irreparably broken, leaving little room for individual action or accountability.
But while living in South Korea, I had the privilege to create my own understanding of activism and political notions. The recent forum challenged my mindset even more, reminding me that democracy is not an abstract ideal or a futuristic goal. It is a practice, a continuous process of questioning, challenging, and reshaping systems to serve the people.
Looking back on the event weeks later, one insight particularly stands out: democracy is about persistence. Its survival depends on our collective willingness to fight for it, even in the face of uncertainty.
This applies not just to Asia or North Africa but universally. Whether in Seoul, Dhaka, Oran, or beyond, the fight for democracy is a shared struggle, uniting us in our pursuit of freedom, justice, and accountability.
The KDF Global Forum was a call to action. It challenged me to think critically about the role I can play in shaping Algeria’s democratic future.
It reminded me that while the road ahead may be uncertain, the commitment to justice and the belief in collective power are constants. And it reaffirmed my belief that, despite our differences, we are all connected in the ongoing journey toward a more equitable and democratic world. ◉
Yousra Feriel Drioua is a South Korea-based Algerian writer and media graduate, focused on civic engagement, and underrepresented communities, among other issues.
