Over a hundred and fifty unarmed police officers took part in a peaceful demonstration in Algiers on Tuesday to express solidarity with colleagues assigned to the Ghardaïa region, where they frequently come under attack from projectiles and fire bombs.
Superintendent Djilali Boudalia, head of the communication department at the Police Directorate explained that the policemen belong to two intervention units scheduled to be deployed in Ghardaïa to replace those currently on the ground. Police are currently under instructions not to use force to defend themselves against rioters from warring Berber and Arab communities and are demanding an audience with Algeria’s Interior Minister.
Supt. Boudalia said: “They are showing their solidarity and support for their colleagues in Ghardaia to end the attacks on security forces in this province that is the scene of constant riots.”
Police from all over the country have been sent to Ghardaïa since riots erupted back in December between the rival communities that compete for scarce jobs and housing in this impoverished region. Despite being known for their ruthless efficiency in suppressing dissent, Algeria’s security forces have not been able to calm the recurring unrest in Ghardaïa, where about a dozen people have been killed since December and many shops burned.
Two people were killed in clashes there Monday and dozens of police wounded.
Some 1,500 members of the police protested in Ghardaïa themselves on Monday over their job conditions, arguing that they were not being allowed to use sufficient force to do their job.
Director General of National Police, Major General Abdelghani Hamel, visited Ghardaïa on Monday to reassure officers, who have never been known to display dissent before, that he is aware of their concerns.
