Civil Forum for Change
An Algerian alliance of citizen associations formed during the 2019 Hirak protests and involved in debates over political transition and the presidential election.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Civil Forum for Change, known in French as Forum civil pour le changement and commonly abbreviated FCC or FCPC, was an Algerian alliance of citizen associations established on 9 March 2019 during the Hirak protest movement. The organization described itself as a coalition of approximately 70 national and local civil-society groups. It was coordinated by Abderrahmane Arar, who was identified as its head by October 2019 and was later elected president at a national constitutional assembly organized by the forum. The forum emerged in a period of major political uncertainty in Algeria. The 2019 Hirak demonstrations began as opposition to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s proposed fifth term and developed into a wider movement demanding political change, institutional reform, and the departure of figures associated with the existing governing system. Rather than functioning as a commercial brand or conventional political party, the Civil Forum for Change acted as a coordinating platform for associations and civic actors seeking to shape the transition through dialogue, constitutional discussion, and elections. During June and July 2019, the FCC participated in attempts to coordinate civil-society initiatives with other groupings, including the Dynamiques de la société civile and the Initiative politique globale, also referred to as the Forces du changement. These efforts reflected the fragmentation of the broader protest environment and the different views among civic actors about how Algeria should reorganize its political institutions. The forum took part in a 15 June meeting of civil-society forces and later worked with the Forces du changement on a national conference held on 6 July. A central proposal associated with the FCC was the creation of a respected dialogue panel that could engage the authorities and help establish conditions for a presidential election. On 17 July, Arar presented a proposed 13-member panel that included politicians, civil-society figures, academics, activists, and figures connected with Algeria’s liberation history. The proposed panel subsequently became associated with the Instance nationale de dialogue et de médiation. Its legitimacy was contested by many Hirak demonstrators, who opposed dialogue arrangements they believed could preserve elements of the old political order. The FCC answered that the panel did not claim to represent the Hirak or speak on behalf of the Algerian people. The forum also took positions on the political conditions surrounding the election scheduled for 12 December 2019. In September, Arar criticized the arrests of Hirak activists while calling for authorities to create a calmer environment in which the electoral process could proceed. The FCC ultimately supported holding the presidential election, a position that distinguished it from parts of the protest movement that rejected the vote under the existing political circumstances. In early October, the organization convened a national constitutional assembly involving about 400 participants, where Arar was elected president and indicated that he intended to stand as a presidential candidate. Available reference material documents the FCC primarily during the 2019 transition period. It does not establish a current operating structure, continuing activities, website, headquarters, legal status, or later leadership. Its historical significance lies in its attempt to give organized civil associations a role in Algeria’s post-Bouteflika political process while balancing demands for change with support for institutional dialogue and an electoral route.
History
The Civil Forum for Change was formed on 9 March 2019 amid Algeria’s Hirak protests. The movement had developed from opposition to Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s proposed fifth presidential term into a broader demand for political renewal and institutional change. The FCC presented itself as an alliance of approximately 70 citizen associations operating at national and local levels. Abderrahmane Arar coordinated its creation and became its principal public representative. The forum was one of several civil-society formations attempting to organize political alternatives during the transition. On 15 June 2019, it participated in a meeting of the Dynamiques de la société civile, a grouping that brought together unions, civic organizations, and individuals interested in coordinating action around the reorganization of the Algerian state. By July, observers identified three prominent currents among the numerous civil-society initiatives: the FCC, the Dynamiques, and the Initiative politique globale or Forces du changement led by Abdelaziz Rahabi. On 6 July, the FCC and the Forces du changement held a national conference. The principal proposal emerging from that meeting was the creation of a panel of respected public figures that could conduct talks with the government and contribute to preparations for a presidential election. On 17 July, Arar announced a list of 13 proposed participants, including Karim Younes, Mouloud Hamrouche, Mokdad Sifi, Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi, Djamila Bouhired, Fatiha Benabou, Nacer Djabi, Mustapha Bouchachi, Islam Benattia, Lyes Merabet, Nafissa Lahrèche, Smaïl Lalmas, and Aïcha Zenaï. Arar said that all had agreed to participate, but Bouhired publicly disputed that characterization and said she had not known she was being proposed for the panel. The initiative later became associated with the Instance nationale de dialogue et de médiation. Many Hirak protesters criticized the dialogue process, arguing that it could legitimize or preserve elements of the former ruling establishment. The FCC responded that the proposed panel was not claiming to represent the Hirak and did not speak for the Algerian population as a whole. This distinction reflected the forum’s effort to act as a civic intermediary rather than as the formal representative of the protest movement. In September 2019, Arar publicly condemned the detention of Hirak activists but also urged the authorities to create a calm political climate in which an election could take place. The forum supported the presidential election scheduled for 12 December, a position that placed it at odds with protesters and civic actors who rejected the vote under the prevailing conditions. In early October, the FCC organized a national constitutional assembly attended by roughly 400 participants. Arar was elected president at the assembly and stated that he intended to seek the presidency. The available record focuses on the forum’s role during the 2019 transition and does not provide reliable information about its later institutional continuity, current leadership, headquarters, website, or activities. Accordingly, its present status is recorded as unknown.
- 2019
Formation during the Hirak
[1]The Civil Forum for Change was established on 9 March as an alliance claiming approximately 70 Algerian citizen associations.
- 2019
Civil-society coordination meeting
[1]The forum took part in a 15 June meeting involving the Dynamiques de la société civile and other actors seeking coordinated political action.
- 2019
National conference with Forces du changement
[1]The FCC and Forces du changement held a 6 July conference that produced a proposal for a respected panel to engage the government and support preparations for a presidential election.
- 2019
Dialogue panel proposal
[1]On 17 July, the forum publicly proposed a 13-person dialogue panel, later associated with the Instance nationale de dialogue et de médiation.
- 2019
National constitutional assembly
[1]At an assembly of approximately 400 participants in early October, Abderrahmane Arar was elected president of the forum.
Products and positioning
A broad civil-society coalition positioned as an organized intermediary for citizen associations during Algeria’s 2019 political transition. The forum emphasized coordination, constitutional discussion, dialogue with authorities, and the conduct of a presidential election, while rejecting the claim that its proposed dialogue panel represented the entire Hirak movement.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Civil-society dialogue and transition initiative
Algeria
The FCC worked with other civil-society forces to propose a dialogue panel that could engage the government, discuss political restructuring, and help create conditions for a presidential election.
Outcome. The proposal contributed to the creation of a national dialogue and mediation process, although the process was strongly criticized by many Hirak protesters.
- 2019Support for the 12 December presidential election
Algeria
The forum advocated holding the presidential election and called for a calmer political environment while also criticizing arrests of Hirak activists.
Outcome. The election proceeded on 12 December, but the FCC’s position remained controversial among sections of the protest movement that rejected the electoral process.
Brand decisions
2019
Back dialogue with the authoritiesStrategyBackground
The forum sought a structured route for civil-society participation in Algeria’s political transition amid disagreement over how to replace the existing political order.
Action taken
It supported creating a panel of respected figures to hold discussions with the government and assist with preparations for a presidential election.
Aftermath
The resulting dialogue initiative faced criticism from Hirak protesters, while the FCC maintained that it did not speak for the entire movement or the Algerian people.
2019
Support the presidential electionStrategyBackground
The forum operated amid arrests of activists and disagreement over whether an election could provide a legitimate route out of the political crisis.
Action taken
It called for conditions conducive to the electoral process and supported holding the presidential election on 12 December.
Aftermath
This stance differentiated the FCC from many Hirak participants who opposed the election under the existing political conditions.
Recent events
- 2019
Civil Forum for Change is created during the Hirak protests[1]
Other
An alliance claiming roughly 70 national and local citizen associations was established on 9 March during Algeria’s 2019 protest movement, under the coordination of Abderrahmane Arar.
- 2019
FCC participates in civil-society coordination efforts[1]
Other
The forum joined a 15 June meeting involving trade unions, civil-society organizations, and individuals seeking to coordinate responses to Algeria’s political crisis.
- 2019
Forum proposes a national dialogue panel[1]
Other
On 17 July, Abderrahmane Arar presented a proposed 13-member panel intended to facilitate discussions with the authorities and help prepare a presidential election.
- 2019
FCC addresses arrests and the presidential election[1]
Regulation · Other
The forum denounced arrests of Hirak activists and called for a calm environment for the electoral process, while supporting the presidential election held on 12 December.
Sources1 sources
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