More than 10,000 protest in Ouargla

Thousands of residents gathered in the central square of the province of Ouargla (south of Algeria) on Thursday chanting “we are not oil companies slaces,” “Algeria is for everyone,” “we want our rights in the country’s resources and oil,” “we want decent life” and other slogans.

The protesters did not allow elected people in Parliament to participate in the sit-in and asked them to leave the place immediately as they were “afraid of saying the truth,” according to them.

Members of Parliaments and senators in the sit-in

Members of Parliament from the FFS party including Abbas Abdelhamid and Chafaa Bouaiche along with Senator Ibrahim Meziani and Hamou Mesbah were among the demonstrators. Human rights from the provinces of Sidi Belabes, El Oued, Illizi, Laghouat, Ghardaia and Adrar also came in support of protesting residents.

Leading member of the dissolved-Islamic Salvation front (FIS) Ali Belhadj tried to join the sit-in with some companions but security forces stopped him.

Calls for national unity

At around 8:30 am, some 500 people gathered until 9 am. Security forces were relaxed as they thought the sit-in would not be successful. At 10:30 am, the square was completely full of protesters. Even workers left their offices and joined the rally. They called for national unity and reject of violence. They described officials at Algeria’s energy group Sonatrach as “thieves.”    

“We do not want oil companies to laugh on south residents”

The protesters rejected marginalization of residents by oil companies. They believe the State is keeping silent over “big fishes” which share “oil cake.” The expressed anger over the State for having no intention for change and not caring about Ouargla as an industrial and economic pole.

They said they will not lodge complaints anymore and they would take to the streets from now on as it is the best solution to put pressure on the government.

Sellal’s instruction “useless”

Some demonstrators said Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal’s last instruction is useless as long as it is not concretized through the appointment of all the unemployed residents at permanent positions. Their number is estimated at 10,000. They believe that what is happening is no more than a “prank” and an “old scenario” which they do not trust anymore.

“We are not calling for conflicts but we claim our rights. We reject violence under all its forms. The State has been unfair with us for many years. We should not keep silent. Ouargla’s residents are aware and educated,” said Taher Belabbes, member of the National Office of the Association of Unemployed Persons’ Rights Defense.