Overview

• Layachi Allaoua rescinded the decree two days after banning Bermuda shorts, citing preservation of “peace and tranquility” for locals and visitors.
• The initial ban branded shorter beachwear as “indecent,” triggering protests from Annaba regional authorities and dismay among holidaymakers.
• Chetaïbi’s economy depends on seasonal tourism, drawing thousands each summer to its Mediterranean shores and making dress rules a high-stakes issue.
• In neighboring Jijel, residents have cordoned off beach sections for mass prayers, underlining ongoing contests over public space and moral authority.
• Experts warn that conservative groups may exploit economic pressures to expand moral policing, potentially undermining the vital tourism sector.