Algeria’s Tuaregs call for integration into army

Residents in the province of Illizi (south of Algeria) informed Algerian interior minister Dahou Ould Kablia a set of demands to submit them to the cabinet and concerned ministries. Of them, the integration of Tuaregs into the Popular National Army’s forces in charge of borders security.

Ould Kablia and agriculture minister Rachid Ben Aissa held a meeting on Friday with civil society representatives and Illizi’s notables. They talked about many issues related to the government and people living in the south in general.

The meeting came after a series of consultative meetings between the interior, agriculture and water resources ministers and representatives of east-southern and south-western provinces.

South residents complain about Air Algerie

After the interior and agriculture ministers delivered opening addresses, Illizi’s notables and civil society representatives took the floor. Former deputy at the People’s National Assembly (APN) Ahmed Zeguri defended Touaregs’ right to protect Algeria’s national borders. He called on government to integrate them into the national army.

He believes that recent terrorist attack on a gas field in In Amenas was due to lack of strength in units in charge of borders security.

He criticized the government for not paying enough attention to some of those areas in the south. Dahou Ould Kablia said he will submit that demand to the national defense minister Abdelmalek Gunaiziya.

Civil society representatives called on government to liberate domestic air transport sector in order to break ticket prices following Algeria’s airline Air Algerie’s monopoly. They also asked for tax exemption of touristic agencies and a ban on its debts as they were hit by security situation in the area.

Speaking about employment, the interior minister said job opportunities are equal for everyone living in the south, adding that working in oil fields needs special training. A training institute is expected to be created soon.