Algeria: Protests in Collo (Skikda province) January 9

Event

Protests erupted in Collo (Skikda province) on Tuesday, January 9, over the lack of affordable housing in the city. Hundreds of people reportedly participated in the protests, and associated transportation disruptions were reported as protesters obstructed the city's primary entry point and held a rally outside the daïra (local government area) headquarters. Police forces wounded at least two protesters as the group attempted to break through police cordons and storm the daïra headquarters. As of Wednesday, January 10, police reinforcements have been deployed to secure the area in response to the demonstrations. A continued heightened security presence, additional protests, and consequent transportation disruptions are expected in the area in the coming days.

Context

Tuesday's protest in Collo was fomented by continued frustrations over the lack of affordable housing in the city, and the recent announcement that 87 homes would be subtracted from the original 1000 public housing units promised by Algerian authorities. Related sit-in protests also took place in Collo on January 4 and January 7.

The housing protests also come amid the recent ratification of the 2018 Financial Act, which includes a planned increase in oil prices and has already generated a general increase in consumer prices in the country. According to one study, most consumer products should increase in price by 3 to 5 percent in 2018.

Advice

Individuals in Collo and other Algerian cities are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations due to the risk of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.