Algeria decided to convert a barracks belonging to the People's National Army in the Tanzoft region, which is considered one of the most harsh areas in the world to live in, into a high-security prison designated for drug traffickers, according to what the Algerian presidency announced on Wednesday, in a move that comes within the framework of tightening anti-drug efforts in the country.
The decision came during a meeting of the Supreme Security Council chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Minister of National Defense, and was devoted to discussing a number of security files, including the fight against drugs and fires that took place in the eastern and central regions of the country, in addition to the general situation in Algeria and neighboring countries.
The Council decided, according to a presidential statement, to establish a security body specialized in combating drugs, similar to similar bodies in effect in a number of countries, including the United States of America.
The Council appreciated the efforts of the People's National Army and the security services in combating drugs, and in the same context decided to transform the military barracks located in Tanzoft into a high-security prison designated for major drug traffickers and dealers.
Regarding the fires, the Supreme Security Council was informed of the progress of the security and scientific investigations led by the National Gendarmerie and National Security to determine the circumstances of the fires that occurred in the eastern and central regions of the country.
The statement said that the National Gendarmerie and Security will announce, during a joint meeting, the results of the investigations, while the Council stressed the necessity of activating the implementation of death sentences in everything related to this type of crime.
The meeting also discussed the general situation in the country and in neighboring countries.
This announcement comes at a time when the authorities are intensifying their warnings about the escalation of drug smuggling in the country, which has a population of about 46 million people and is located on the Mediterranean Sea, and has land borders extending about 6,400 kilometers.
According to figures from the National Bureau for Combating Drugs and Addiction, the number of addicts in Algeria will reach more than three million in 2024.
The authorities regularly announce large-scale seizures. As an example of this, on August 21, it reported the seizure of more than 10 million capsules of pregabalin, a psychotropic substance, in addition to more than 33 kilograms of cocaine, in what was described as a record seizure operation.
Tanzaroft, located in the far southwest of Algeria, on the border with Mali, is a desert almost devoid of population, where temperatures may exceed 50 degrees Celsius during the summer, and it is considered one of the most isolated and harsh regions of the Sahara.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told members of Parliament on Thursday that Spain had not found any evidence that the Moroccan authorities planned or carried out the wave of migrants crossing from Morocco into the Spanish-occupied enclave of Ceuta in northern Morocco last July, which witnessed deaths and injuries.
Sanchez's comments before the House of Representatives followed a police report this week, which concluded that the mass influx of migrants to Ceuta was not a spontaneous event, but rather a planned operation carried out in stages with the aim of confusing border control procedures.
Sanchez said, according to what Reuters news agency reported: “I assure you that no party, neither the European External Action Service (the diplomatic arm of the European Union), nor the European Commission, nor any international body, has provided the Spanish government with any conclusive evidence that Morocco planned or carried out the incident.” “There is no evidence at all.”
The Spanish Prime Minister also said: “Our intelligence has so far ruled out the possibility that government agencies, such as Morocco, Russia, or Israel, are behind posts on social media encouraging the crossing of Migrants,” but he said, on the other hand, that the Moroccan gendarmerie forces “allowed crossing operations to occur” during a 10-hour period last July 30, when the numbers of arrivals reached their peak. He highlighted that the Spanish authorities have not yet determined whether this was the result of inaction or inability to contain the influx.
The police report, seen by Reuters, stated that Moroccan security forces initially deployed in smaller numbers than usual near the Tarajal checkpoint, separating the occupied enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, and no serious attempt was made to disperse the crowds.
The report added that some members of the Moroccan security forces, who were wearing uniforms, directed people towards the crossing point, while other unidentified people were apparently directing or monitoring the wave of flow, but the report did not identify any specific security personnel, or provide independent evidence proving the issuance of orders from the Moroccan authorities. On the other hand, Moroccan officials denied facilitating crossing operations.
Pedro Sanchez's statements came after residents of Ceuta went out on Wednesday to protest Madrid's handling of the migration crisis resulting from the influx of migrants across the border last July, when at least 72,000 people crossed from Morocco.
Thousands of people marched through the streets of the city, which has a population of about 80,000, in a protest that coincided with the annual Ceuta Day. The demonstrators waved Spanish flags, booed, and chanted, “Ceuta is not for sale, it must be defended.”
The protesters raised a banner that read: “A call for help.” Oh Europe, save us from our traitorous government.” While others called on the authorities to “expel the invaders,” others called on the Prime Minister to resign, while other Spanish cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao, witnessed similar demonstrations.
After about five weeks of the influx of migrants, the Ceuta authorities estimate that more than 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, are still stuck in temporary camps, or are spread out in the enclave’s streets and on its beaches. Their presence has sparked almost daily protests from local residents over the Spanish government's handling of the crisis, with demonstrators demanding that migrants be returned to their countries of origin, or distributed across Spain.
David Hernandez, a 45-year-old teacher, said: “The response was insufficient and late, and above all, it involved a complete dereliction of the government’s duty.” “We cannot be second-class citizens, and our borders must not be marginalized.”
The most recent protests witnessed sporadic attacks on a temporary migrant camp on El Trampoline Beach, and the arrest of Moroccans who threw stones and bottles at army patrols.
For its part, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities (FEMP), which is dominated by the conservative Popular Party, the main opposition party, called for protests throughout Spain, while the leftist government distanced itself from this initiative, accusing the right of exploiting the crisis for political gain.
The Spanish Minister of Regional Policy and Democratic Memory, Angel Victor Torres, told RNE radio: “This is not about defending Ceuta and its residents, but about attacking the government.”
A statement issued by the popular initiative “For Ceuta” collected nearly 65,000 signatures.
The initiative calls for respecting the human rights of residents and migrants, the organized return of those who do not have the right to stay, and the provision of further security reinforcements. The initiative says it does not belong to any political movement.
Leftist groups and unions organized counter-rallies in a number of cities, including Madrid, to denounce “the persecution and racist and anti-Islamic attacks” committed against migrants in Ceuta since the beginning of the influx.
Discussions between local governments and the central government regarding how to deal with the crisis have reached a dead end, as the Popular Party, which governs most regions, some of which are in coalition with the far-right Fox party, is demanding the deportation of all remaining migrants, including minors.
The government increased the capacity of temporary shelters to more than 3,400 places from about 500, and also deployed more than 1,600 policemen. But local groups and political leaders say this is still far short of what is needed to ensure the safety of citizens and migrants.
