Algerian security used excess force to repress a march by thousands of residents in Relizane, a northwestern Algerian city 285 km from the capital, who waled through mud-filled streets on Saturday to protest what they described as the «dark face of the new Algeria» after weeks of devastating floods left the region isolated and without essential services.
Protesters from the wilaya’s 38 communes denounced the collapse of key infrastructure, prolonged power and sanitation failures, and shortages of drinking water, fuel and basic food supplies.
Many said on social media the situation had deteriorated sharply since the floods, accusing authorities of failing to provide meaningful assistance.
Beyond brief visits from the governor and a short stopover by Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud two weeks earlier, residents say no concrete support has been delivered. The minister announced a series of commitments “on instructions from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune,” but locals say promises have not translated into action as the city remains heavily damaged.
Videos circulating on social media showed large crowds demanding the restoration of essential services and access to indispensable goods such as potable water, electricity, fuel, milk, oil and legumes. Many also urged the construction of safer housing after several buildings collapsed in recent days. Anger intensified last Wednesday after a child was swept away and killed by rising waters of the Oued Rouaihia. Two other victims at least were deplored.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers to disperse the demonstrations, with residents reporting forceful intervention by police. Protesters said the crackdown was intended to intimidate other Algerian cities facing similar hardships amid years of economic strain and increasingly harsh living conditions.
As Relizane struggles to recover, state media have focused on unrelated regional narratives, prompting criticism from locals who accuse the government of deflecting attention from domestic crises rather than addressing urgent humanitarian needs on the ground.
Residents said flood victims had been “left to their own and abandoned” for weeks, with communities cut off from drinking water, electricity, fuel and basic food supplies as authorities failed to deliver meaningful assistance.
