Ethnic Tensions Lead to Clash in Algeria

By Ann Flower Seyse
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ALGIERS, Algeria– After a brief argument between a migrant Chinese worker and an Algerian store owner over the parking space in front of the Algerian’s store a brawl broke out between about one hundred Algerians and migrant Chinese.

Many people wielded knifes and bludgeons. The parties dispersed after the local police showed up with an ambassador. Ten people were injured in the dispute, and two Chinese stores were looted according to an unnamed official at the ministry of foreign affairs.

The attack took place in the Bab Ezzour district in the eastern part of Algiers. An estimated 35,000 migrant Chinese workers live in Algeria. An estimated 8,000 work in the building sector, according to Agence France Presse.

Tensions have existed since the migrant workers came to Algeria. During the recent economic downturn, many Algerians blame the migrant workers for taking jobs that would otherwise go to Algerians, increasing tensions.

Additionally, the June 26 brawl between Uighur Muslim Chinese and ethnic Han Chinese stirred more negativity against the Chinese. Al Queda in the Islamic Mahgreb, or AQIM threatened revenge for their fellow Muslims that were injured in that attack. After this threat the Chinese embassy encouraged it’s citizens living in Algeria to exercise caution.

China is hoping that this attack is an isolated incidence, and is waiting for Algeria to take any necessary action. Given China’s extensive economic interests in Algeria, with multiple engineering contracts, and a stake in Algeria’s eleven billion dollar highway project, they will be hesitant to tell their citizens to abandon their jobs and come home.

For more information, please see:

Afrik- Xenophobia against Chinese on Rise in Africa – 5 August 2009

China Daily- 10 Chinese Injured in Clash with Algerians – 5 August 2009

BBC – Chinese Migrants in Algiers Clash – 4 August 2009

Reuters- Factbox: China’s Economic Interests in Algeria – 4 August 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive