Residents of the village of Amar Moussa in Aït Yahia Moussa, Algeria, blocked the local municipality office on Tuesday morning. The protest, called for by the village committee, was sparked by the community's demand for electrification of all homes. Many homes in the village, particularly those built under the rural housing aid program, still lack electricity. The protesters, who had earlier sent home all officials and visitors, vowed to stay put until their demands are met.
According to Ali Bendaoui, president of the village committee, the decision to block the municipality office was not taken lightly. He stated that the committee was aware that the action would cause inconvenience to fellow citizens, but felt it was necessary to get the attention of concerned authorities. Bendaoui explained that a project to connect 37 homes was initially planned under the 2010-2014 five-year plan. However, due to budget constraints, the project was stalled.
The situation took a surprising turn in December last year when a company was selected to launch the electrification project, but only for 14 homes instead of the planned 37. The village committee opposed the scaled-down project, insisting that the original plan should be implemented. Bendaoui stated that the committee is now demanding that the Directorate of Energy and Mines and Sonelgaz, the national electricity company, visit the village to provide clear explanations.
The mayor of Aït Yahia Moussa, Rabah Hamitouche, acknowledged that the village had benefited from the electrification project under the sectorial plan. However, he claimed that the commune's powers were limited in resolving the issues related to the project, which he attributed to the Provincial Development Initiative (PSD). Hamitouche stated that his administration had contacted the Directorate of Municipal Infrastructure (DMI) and transmitted the village's concerns.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the protesters remained firm in their stance, maintaining the blockade of the municipality office. Bendaoui emphasized that the protesters would not leave until their demands were fully satisfied. The situation highlights the challenges faced by rural communities in Algeria, where infrastructure development is often hampered by bureaucratic delays and funding constraints.
The electrification project has been a long-standing demand of the villagers, who feel that their basic needs are being neglected. The protest is seen as a desperate attempt by the community to get the attention of authorities and push for the completion of the project. With no immediate resolution in sight, the standoff between the villagers and authorities continues.
The incident has brought to the fore the need for greater transparency and community engagement in development projects. The villagers' demands for electrification are part of a broader push for improved living standards and access to basic services in rural Algeria. The outcome of the protest remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the villagers of Amar Moussa are determined to fight for their rights.
Key points
- Algerian villagers block municipality office to demand electrification of homes
- Project to connect 37 homes was initially planned but stalled due to budget constraints
- Villagers demand visit from Directorate of Energy and Mines and Sonelgaz to provide clear explanations
