Violent riots broke out in Tiaret, Algeria, last weekend as residents protested severe water shortages. The city, located in a drought-stricken region, has been facing months of water rationing, which led to residents having to queue for access to water. Protestors set tires on fire and blocked roads with make-shift barricades in response to the government’s failure to provide adequate water supply.
President Abdelmajid Tebboune called for emergency measures to address the crisis, sending government ministers to apologize to the population and promise to restore access to drinking water. The unrest comes as Tebboune prepares for a second-term election as president of Algeria, a country facing the impacts of climate change and a multi-year drought that has dried up critical reservoirs.
The region relies on three dammed reservoirs for water, which have seen a significant decline in capacity due to lack of rainfall and extreme heat. Officials are now working on importing water from nearby sources and constructing new pipelines to bring in groundwater. In the long term, Algeria is considering alternative water supplies, such as desalination plants.
Despite the tensions in Tiaret, the situation remains tense, with residents still facing water shortages. While news about the riots has spread on social media, local media outlets in Algeria have provided limited coverage due to restrictions on press freedom and government control over advertising revenue. The situation in Tiaret highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management in the face of escalating climate challenges.
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