Echorouk’s reconciliation meeting: A call to restore calm in Algeria’s southern municipality

A southern municipality’s mayor, notables, presidents of civil associations and citizens held a meeting Saturday to deal with inter community violence which caused at least 26 injured.

In the meeting which was organised by Echorouk, Beriane’s mayor, Hedjaj Nacereddine said more than 600 gendarmes from neighbouring provinces as well as policemen are keeping watch on the situation to avoid any more riots.

 He asked residents to be calm and official authorities to open a security investigation the background of the riots.

Notable Sheikh Mohamed Oueld Daoud urged for dialogue and the necessity of disarmament.

 He also asked for establishing an educative system which does not concretises racism between people belonging to the same area.For their part, presidents of civil associations unanimously agreed on the necessity of bringing up the future generation without any sensitivity.

 “They study in a same school, so, how are they prevented of praying in a same mosque and being buried in a same cemetery in the name of doctrine?” 

Notables ask for dialogue 

Sheikh Mohamed Ouled Daoud called on all officials and religious authorities in Beriane to work on bringing the calm again in the area.

 “If intentions are sincere and efforts are unified Allah the All Mighty will crown the efforts with success and spread safety,” he said.

He stressed the role of media to avoid such sectarian conflicts.

 “It is necessary to sensitize the society on brotherhood and peace principles,” he added. 

Suggestions to avoid clashes 

Members of Beriane’s municipal assembly suggested deploying more policemen in the municipality where there has been no police station for 18 years.

Sheikh Mohamed Ouled Daoud called on authorities to disarm the people who showed their arms during the riots.

President of areas in Beriane led by Nourredine Bekayer urged to control incentive statements which are written on walls.

 “A security investigation commission must be set up to find out the real reasons behind the inter community violence.”