Unprecedented: Algeria called out in 3 Parliaments and the UN Security Council in one week

In an unprecedented development in Algeria’s history since its independence, Algeria’s military regime faces simultaneous criticism from three parliamentary bodies and the United Nations Security Council within a single week, all about its human rights record and regression into a thugocracy, in the proper meaning.
Algeria called out in the EU, French, Spanish Parliaments and in the UN Security Council
The European Parliament has debated today the case of French-Algerian writer and thinker Boualem Sansal upon his arrival in Algiers. His kidnapping by the Algerian Internal Secret Police, and disappearance, widely condemned as an attack on freedom of expression. Concurrently, the Spanish parliament is demanding answers from its government regarding the attempted kidnapping of Algerian journalist Hichem Aboud in Barcelona, an incident Spanish authorities have linked to a narco-criminal organization operating in Spain which had an abduction and exfiltration multi-million euro contract with the Algerian Intelligence Services. French parliament member Guillaume Bigot (Rassemblement National) denounced Sansal’s arrest and criticized Algerian officials for condemning France while sending their children to French educational institutions. At the UN Security Council, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon condemned Algeria’s human rights record, citing poor economic freedom and gender equality rankings, and characterized the regime’s actions, particularly towards Israel, as “empty threats.”
Francisco Javier Ortega Smith-Molina, Spanish Parlementary, Guillaume Bigot French Parliamentary Member, François-Xavier Bellamy European Parliamantary Member, Danny Danon Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations.
What the international community may not fully realize is that it has barely scratched the surface of the severe and clandestine actions that the military regime in Algiers has conducted throughout its existence, particularly in the past five years. Between 1990 and 1999, the regime allegedly engaged in false flag operations, concealing its actions behind the guise of radical Islamism and terrorist acts. Today, such justifications are harder to sustain, and the regime’s actions are increasingly being exposed to the world. At least 26 senior military and intelligence officers have been jailed on charges of treason and corruption. While these charges may have merit, observers unequivocally agree that they are fundamentally driven by personal vendettas orchestrated by Mohamed Mediene, General Said Chengriha, Abdelkader Haddad, Djebbar Mehenna and Hamid Oubelaïd. Additionally, multiple military and high-ranking officials have died under seemingly suspicious circumstances. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were reports of individuals allegedly being assassinated under the cover of the health crisis. In the summer of 2022, incidents involving the sons of former officials, such as the late General Ahmed Gaid Salah and whole family members like the Bennacer family, among others, have raised further concerns about the regime’s internal power struggles and methods.
Algerian Military Regime Contradictions Come in the Spotlight
As the spotlight intensifies on the Algerian military regime, a series of stark contradictions have emerged, revealing the double-edged nature of its international relations and domestic posturing. These contradictions underscore the regime’s propensity for projecting a facade of ideological purity and nationalistic fervor, while simultaneously engaging in actions that directly undermine its publicly stated principles. The following points lay bare the regime’s duplicitous conduct:
Anti-French Rhetoric vs. Utilization of French Institutions: The Algerian Minister of Communication, Mohamed Meziane, has been a vocal critic of France, and performed a monologue plea on Algerian media lynching Boualam Sansal accusing him of being a puppet of the French lobby, despite having children enrolled in elite Parisian universities. This discrepancy was brought to the daylight by Guillaume Bigot in the French Parliament.
Criticism of NATO vs. Seeking Its Security Umbrella: Despite historical anti-Western sentiment and close ties with Russia and China, the military regime of Algiers has signed a security agreement with NATO to protect its oil and gas infrastructure. This decision reflects the regime’s pragmatic approach to securing its economic interests, even if it means collaborating with organizations it has publicly criticized.
Claims of Sovereignty vs. Military Spending and NATO Scrutiny: The Algerian regime has long boasted of its self-reliance and sovereignty. However, its increasing military budget has drawn requests from NATO parliamentary members who visited Algiers and met with Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Said Chengriha for further justification and explanation, as it was explicitly stated in NATO’s parliament tweet.
Denunciation of Israel vs. Engagement with Pro-Israel Lobbyists: Despite publicly denouncing Israel and aligning with the Palestinian cause, Algeria has engaged the services of the American lobbying firm BGR Group, which is notable for its connections to pro-Israel advocacy and its role in the Abraham Accords. This engagement, costing Algeria an annual fee of $720,000, underscores the regime’s quiet maneuvers to curry favor and enhance its influence within U.S. political circles. This duality is also exemplified by algeria prohibiting pro-Palestinian demonstrations supporting Gaza. The only exception to this ban was a protest that was allegedly orchestrated by the security forces themselves, suggesting that even expressions of solidarity with Palestine are subject to state control and manipulation for political purposes.
These actions indicate a calculated strategy by the Algerian regime to maintain a hardline exterior in line with the Algerian population, while simultaneously pursuing a parallel track of diplomatic and lobbying efforts designed to protect and secure its survival. The revelation of these discrepancies has drawn criticism from various quarters, as it highlights the regime’s willingness to sacrifice principled positions for its end, thus making it fit for the definition of a thugocracy.
The convergence of international scrutiny on Algeria’s military regime marks a turning point. The regime’s contradictions, its anti-Western rhetoric coupled with reliance on Western institutions, its claims of sovereignty undermined by its dependence on foreign security agreements, and its performative anti-Zionism juxtaposed with its engagement of pro-Israel lobbyists, reveal a cynical calculus focused solely on regime preservation.
This duplicity, combined with credible allegations of extrajudicial killings, suspicious deaths, and politically motivated imprisonments made by ciblant Saïd Chengriha, Abdelkader Haddad, Hamid Oubelaïd, Mohamed Mediene, Djebar Mehenna, , paints a grim picture of a thugocracy consolidating its power at the expense of its citizens and regional stability. The international community can no longer afford to ignore the escalating crisis in Algeria. Failing to hold the regime accountable will not only embolden its repressive tactics but also risk further destabilizing a volatile region. The time for decisive action, including targeted legal action against the military regime of algiers responsible for war crimes, human rights abuses and corruption.