Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ghardaia (Agenzia Fides) - The M'Zab Valley in southern Algeria, continues to be the scene of sectarian violence on ethnic-religious basis, that the Algerian security apparatuses are not able to stop. The clashes have created conflict between the Ibadi Berber population and groups of Sunni Islamists for more than a year and a half, and the picture appears complicated due to the maneuvers of gangs that foment the clash of identity in order to take advantage of the chaos and carry out looting and other criminal actions. Recently, the spiral of violence without measure has increased the number of victims. In recent outbreaks of violence, 25 people died and dozens wounded.
This bleak picture of the situation of the M'Zab Valley - transformed from a place of peaceful coexistence to a "Valley of Tears" - is described by His Exc. Mgr. Claude Rault, M. Afr., Bishop of the diocese of Laghouat. In his latest report – released by the Amis du Diocèse du Sahara association and sent to Agenzia Fides - the titular of one of the territorially largest dioceses in the world (more than 2 million square km) refers to the testimonies he gathered around the "sad events" involving the centers of Ghardaia and especially Berriane and Guerrara. "Many of the families - says the Bishop - mourn their dead, live in fear and restlessness before the resumption of a barbarity that appears blind. And certainly repression alone cannot help but spread violence".
In this dramatic scenario, local Christians continue to offer their prayers and their active contribution to help overcome the wounds that are destroying the secular coexistence among different groups rooted in the region. "As a small Christian community that has been living in the Valley for a long time - writes Bishop Ruault in his message - we have woven strong ties of fraternity, conviviality and collaboration and we want to continue on this path. We have received a lot from this population, which is dear to us, and that has always respected us despite the differences that could lead to exclusion". "This is why - adds the Bishop - we mourn with the families who have lost their loved ones. We suffer their wounds. We are afraid of this uncertain future. But we believe in the resources of humanity and wisdom that God has put in that population that welcomes us .... Our prayer - concluded Mgr. Rault - is that the M'Zab Valley returns to being a happy valley". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 17/07/2015)
