Laghouat riots over social housing: Protestors demand dismissal of local officials including Governor
Tension is reported to be still running high in the province of Laghouat, 400 km south of the capital Algiers, after protesters clashed Tuesday with anti-riot forces leading to several injuries among both sides.
- Earlier in the day, local residents rallied in front of government buildings to protest that they had not been included in a social housing program. When a youngster among the group threw stones at anti-riot forces, the latter tried to disperse them with tear gas.
- After the police cordoned off the area, protesters moved to the nearby El Maamourah Square and began a sit-in, holding posters of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and waving national flags.
- Small groups of protesters took on the streets of downtown area, chanting slogans that denounce injustice, marginalization and corruption, with a large presence of anti-riot units.
- The street clashes calmed down later in the evening, but protesters vowed to resume their peaceful movement until all their legitimate demands are met.
- Numerous residents in Laghouat have been rallying since last Wednesday, demanding the cancellation of what they termed as an “unfair housing list” which is supposed to distribute 190 brand-new housing units only to those living in ramshackle dwellings, as well as the dismissal of several local officials including the Wali or Governor whom they accused of being behind the drafting of the controversial list which touched off the spiral of violent protests in the city.