Official Statement of MND
25th May 2025
General Saïd CHANEGRIHA, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of People's National Army Staff, supervises the work of the national seminar entitled «The African Sahel: Security and Development Challenges in the Light of Geopolitical Rivalries in the Region»
General Saïd CHANEGRIHA, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defense, Chief of People's National Army Staff, supervises today, 25th May, 2025, at the National Army Circle, the national seminar entitled "The African Sahel: Security and Development Challenges in the Light of Geopolitical Rivalries in the Region," organized by the Directorate of Information and Communication of People's National Army Staff.
The seminar was attended by the President of the Council of the Nation, the President of People's National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency of the Republic, ministers, advisors to the President of the Republic, the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, in addition to the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence, the Force Commands, the National Gendarmerie, and the Acting Republican Guard, the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of National Defense, the Commander of the 1st Military Region, Chiefs of departments, the Comptroller General of the Army, and the Directors and Chiefs of Central Services of the Ministry of National Defence and the People's National Army Staff, as well as executives government officials, university professors, and directors of media institutions.
The work of this seminar began with a speech delivered by the General, who after welcoming the guests and participants, highlighted Algeria's commitment to its fundamental principles based on good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and to favoring peaceful approaches based on dialogue for the resolution of conflicts:
"Algeria, faithful to its constant principles in its foreign policy, such as mutual respect, good neighborliness, rejection of any interference in the internal affairs of countries, and respect for their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, has continued to deploy considerable diplomatic efforts with a view to establishing political and security stability in the Sahel region, through its commitment to the peaceful resolution of crises, rejecting the use of weapons, and favoring dialogue and negotiations."
The General reaffirmed that Algeria continues to provide assistance to neighboring countries through multifaceted military cooperation programs, particularly within the framework of the Joint Operational Staff Committee:
"Algeria remains a key element in the security and stability of the region, and ensures the strengthening of the defense capabilities of its partners and neighbors in the Sahel, within the framework of bilateral military cooperation programs and training for the armed forces of the countries in the region, and by supporting them in the fight against terrorism, through the Joint Operational Staff Committee (CEMOC), which is able to implement the principle of each country's autonomous management of its security challenges, while fully respecting the sovereignty of each state."
The General also emphasized that Algeria's historical and humanitarian ties with the peoples of the Sahel region are reflected in its contribution to the economic and social development of the region's population:
"Furthermore, our country has actively worked to strengthen and foster the economic and social development of the Sahel region, through its commitment to anchoring the principle of solidarity with the peoples to whom it is linked by distinguished historical and civilizational ties. This has resulted in the delivery of humanitarian aid and the financing of structuring development projects with a regional dimension, with the aim of encouraging the region's populations to strive to live in dignity and hope in their countries and to thwart any attempts at instability in the region.
Also, Algeria will remain, despite attempts to sow confusion about its pivotal role in the region, an efficient factor in security and peace in the Sahel, and will continue, in light of the strategic and far-sighted vision of Mr. President of the Republic Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defence, to do everything in its power to lay the foundations for dialogue and initiate constructive regional approaches in the service of security and stability in the region. "
At the end, General Ahmed Attaf, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of People's National Army Staff, officially announced the opening of the seminar.
The seminar continued with several presentations. In this capacity, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, led the first conference under the theme: "Achieving Security, Stability, and Development in the African Sahel Region: What Effective Strategy?"
"I would like to commend the relevance and the wise choice of the theme for our meeting today, as we celebrate Africa Day alongside our African brothers and sisters. This day is associated with the anniversary of the laying of the foundation stones of the African unity project on this same day in 1963. There is no doubt that the objective of celebrating Africa Day is not limited to remembering past glories and saluting achievements, but rather to highlight challenges and affirm the commitment to face them. Algeria has an inexhaustible capital of patience that allows it to address the dominant issues in the Sahel-Saharan region with wisdom, restraint and foresight. Algeria also nurtures a deep faith in unity, the unity of historical heritage, the unity of aspirations and the unity of destiny, which constantly pushes it to extend a helping hand to its neighboring brothers, in a spirit of solidarity, mutual assistance and fraternity. Algeria also possesses a firm determination, an unwavering will, and a rigor that enable it to overcome difficulties and triumph over challenges, by advancing its objectives and interests in the service of the security, stability, and prosperity of the Sahel-Saharan region to which it belongs".
Subsequently, Ms. Malika Salma HADDADI, Vice-President of the African Union Commission, moderated the second conference, focusing on the issues and challenges related to security, stability, and development in the African Sahel region. This was followed by a conference animated by Mr. Abed HALLOUZ, Director of the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development, on "Algeria's role in consolidating peace, security, and development in the African Sahel states." Mr. Mohamed AMROUNE, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and the National Community Abroad at the Council of the Nation, moderated a conference entitled "The African Sahel, the Colonial Context, and New International Actors: Repercussions and Prospects".
This seminar was marked by debates and contributions from experts and executives who shared their visions and analyses, thus contributing to enriching the work and recommendations emerging from this seminar.
The seminar was attended by the President of the Council of the Nation, the President of People's National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency of the Republic, ministers, advisors to the President of the Republic, the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, in addition to the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defence, the Force Commands, the National Gendarmerie, and the Acting Republican Guard, the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of National Defense, the Commander of the 1st Military Region, Chiefs of departments, the Comptroller General of the Army, and the Directors and Chiefs of Central Services of the Ministry of National Defence and the People's National Army Staff, as well as executives government officials, university professors, and directors of media institutions.
The work of this seminar began with a speech delivered by the General, who after welcoming the guests and participants, highlighted Algeria's commitment to its fundamental principles based on good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and to favoring peaceful approaches based on dialogue for the resolution of conflicts:
"Algeria, faithful to its constant principles in its foreign policy, such as mutual respect, good neighborliness, rejection of any interference in the internal affairs of countries, and respect for their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, has continued to deploy considerable diplomatic efforts with a view to establishing political and security stability in the Sahel region, through its commitment to the peaceful resolution of crises, rejecting the use of weapons, and favoring dialogue and negotiations."
The General reaffirmed that Algeria continues to provide assistance to neighboring countries through multifaceted military cooperation programs, particularly within the framework of the Joint Operational Staff Committee:
"Algeria remains a key element in the security and stability of the region, and ensures the strengthening of the defense capabilities of its partners and neighbors in the Sahel, within the framework of bilateral military cooperation programs and training for the armed forces of the countries in the region, and by supporting them in the fight against terrorism, through the Joint Operational Staff Committee (CEMOC), which is able to implement the principle of each country's autonomous management of its security challenges, while fully respecting the sovereignty of each state."
The General also emphasized that Algeria's historical and humanitarian ties with the peoples of the Sahel region are reflected in its contribution to the economic and social development of the region's population:
"Furthermore, our country has actively worked to strengthen and foster the economic and social development of the Sahel region, through its commitment to anchoring the principle of solidarity with the peoples to whom it is linked by distinguished historical and civilizational ties. This has resulted in the delivery of humanitarian aid and the financing of structuring development projects with a regional dimension, with the aim of encouraging the region's populations to strive to live in dignity and hope in their countries and to thwart any attempts at instability in the region.
Also, Algeria will remain, despite attempts to sow confusion about its pivotal role in the region, an efficient factor in security and peace in the Sahel, and will continue, in light of the strategic and far-sighted vision of Mr. President of the Republic Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defence, to do everything in its power to lay the foundations for dialogue and initiate constructive regional approaches in the service of security and stability in the region. "
At the end, General Ahmed Attaf, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of People's National Army Staff, officially announced the opening of the seminar.
The seminar continued with several presentations. In this capacity, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, led the first conference under the theme: "Achieving Security, Stability, and Development in the African Sahel Region: What Effective Strategy?"
"I would like to commend the relevance and the wise choice of the theme for our meeting today, as we celebrate Africa Day alongside our African brothers and sisters. This day is associated with the anniversary of the laying of the foundation stones of the African unity project on this same day in 1963. There is no doubt that the objective of celebrating Africa Day is not limited to remembering past glories and saluting achievements, but rather to highlight challenges and affirm the commitment to face them. Algeria has an inexhaustible capital of patience that allows it to address the dominant issues in the Sahel-Saharan region with wisdom, restraint and foresight. Algeria also nurtures a deep faith in unity, the unity of historical heritage, the unity of aspirations and the unity of destiny, which constantly pushes it to extend a helping hand to its neighboring brothers, in a spirit of solidarity, mutual assistance and fraternity. Algeria also possesses a firm determination, an unwavering will, and a rigor that enable it to overcome difficulties and triumph over challenges, by advancing its objectives and interests in the service of the security, stability, and prosperity of the Sahel-Saharan region to which it belongs".
Subsequently, Ms. Malika Salma HADDADI, Vice-President of the African Union Commission, moderated the second conference, focusing on the issues and challenges related to security, stability, and development in the African Sahel region. This was followed by a conference animated by Mr. Abed HALLOUZ, Director of the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development, on "Algeria's role in consolidating peace, security, and development in the African Sahel states." Mr. Mohamed AMROUNE, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and the National Community Abroad at the Council of the Nation, moderated a conference entitled "The African Sahel, the Colonial Context, and New International Actors: Repercussions and Prospects".
This seminar was marked by debates and contributions from experts and executives who shared their visions and analyses, thus contributing to enriching the work and recommendations emerging from this seminar.
