Officials fuel conflict in Ghardaia

A delegation from the Association of Algerian Muslim Ulema led by Cheikh Mohamed Mkerkeb Wednesday finished its consultative meetings with notables in the province of Ghardaia in an attempt to unify Ibadists and Malikists and avoid violence.

The delegation listened to all the concerns and points of view. Necessary conclusions were made to overcome and solve the conflict, the association’s president Abderrezak Guessoum told Echorouk.

Asked whether there is a religious conflict, he said social, economic and cultural factors are behind the conflict. “Political interventions worsened the situation.”

Speaking about drug addiction, he said young people should be sensitized about the phenomenon dangers.

A group of personalities, executives, academics, intellectuals and journalists are expected to go to Ghardaia in a convoy with no political character under the slogan of “Brothers for Ever.”

According to the convoy coordinator Hafnaoui Ghoul, a number of personalities hailed the idea and said they are ready to join the convoy. Of them, there are former ministers Mehieddine Amimour, Bachir Messitfa and academic Ahmed Adimi, Parliament’s former speaker Karim Younes and a number of journalists.

Residents in Beni Merzouk area where violence acts started said they lodged complaints to imams about drug spread. “There is no religious conflict. The main reason behind violence is drug with the help of some officials,” a resident told Echorouk.

They are against any initiative in the name of government. They said Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal’s remarks provoked them and claimed for an investigation.

They also say they welcome any Algerian or a delegation sent by the President’s Office. They also call on Guessoum to come to Ghardaia.