A meeting at the Oued Ghir APC to elect a new mayor was disrupted before it could conclude. Fifteen council members had gathered, but the session was adjourned due to a group of citizens protesting outside. The protesters demanded the departure of the district chief and other officials who were to oversee the election. The APC had initially scheduled the election for November 26, but it was postponed to the following Thursday at the request of some council members.
The postponement was granted to allow more time for council members to reach a consensus on a candidate. However, despite this extra time, the election was still thwarted by the protests. A council member expressed disappointment, questioning the motives of the protesters and suggesting that the situation would not benefit the commune. The protests occurred despite the presence of gendarmerie officers from the Oued Ghir brigade.
The APC had previously experienced a blockade following the 2017 local elections, with the communal executive not being installed until a year later. A similar situation may now unfold if the crisis persists. Algerian authorities may be forced to transfer the management of the commune's affairs to an administrator. The current situation has left citizens in the commune facing difficulties, including irregular waste collection.
The commune's issues began when the former APC and its executive resigned in October, citing a lack of consultation with authorities and the absence of an alternative site for waste disposal. The old landfill in Tayma was closed to make way for a new city. As a result, neighborhoods are now overwhelmed with garbage due to the irregular collection of household waste.
The council member noted that the additional time granted by the administration was beneficial, as a majority of council members had agreed on a consensus candidate. However, the protests prevented the election from taking place. The motives behind the protests remain unclear, with the council member suggesting that the situation would not serve the commune's interests.
The district chief had decided to suspend the session due to security concerns, as the protesters outside began shouting. The authorities have since postponed the election to a later date. In the meantime, citizens in the commune are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with essential services like waste collection being disrupted.
If the situation persists, the wilaya authorities may have to intervene, potentially transferring the management of the commune's affairs to an administrator. This would be a setback for the commune, which is still recovering from previous administrative issues. The citizens of Oued Ghir can only hope for a swift resolution to the crisis.
Key points
- The election of a new mayor in Oued Ghir APC was prevented by protests from citizens.
- The commune is facing difficulties, including irregular waste collection, due to the crisis.
- Authorities may transfer the management of the commune's affairs to an administrator if the situation persists.
