Violent riots broke out in the Algerian desert city of Tiaret last weekend as residents protested months of water shortages that left taps running dry. Protestors set tires on fire and blocked roads to demand an end to water rationing. President Abdelmajid Tebboune urged his cabinet to implement emergency measures in response to the unrest.
The region, facing a multi-year drought exacerbated by climate change, relies on three shrinking reservoirs for water. Groundwater aquifers have not been able to recharge due to a lack of rain. Algeria’s long-term solution involves piping water from larger dams and investing in desalination plants. In the meantime, officials are trying to import water from nearby sources and are building new pipelines to bring groundwater to Tiaret.
Despite the tension, a sense of calm has returned to Tiaret, although the situation remains fragile. The news of the riots has spread on social media but has not received much coverage in the Algerian media, which relies heavily on state advertising revenue. Press freedom in the country has been increasingly restricted, with journalists facing imprisonment.
The unrest in Tiaret highlights the urgent need for solutions to the water crisis in Algeria, as residents struggle to access this essential resource. As the country faces challenges posed by climate change and dwindling water sources, the government must address the root causes of the issue to prevent further social upheaval in the future.
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