Algeria shakes up intelligence leadership amid regional crises

Algeria has dismissed its head of internal security, General Abdelkader Haddad, after just one year in office, replacing him with veteran intelligence officer General Abdelkader Ait Ourabi. The sudden reshuffle follows mounting criticism over policy failures regarding Sahel relations and France.

According to the Moroccan government-friendly Atalayar, Ourabi, a key figure from Algeria’s civil war era, is seen as part of the “old guard” from former President Bouteflika’s time. His appointment signals a potential shift back to traditional security approaches as Algeria grapples with deteriorating regional relationships.

The changes come after controversial decisions, including the arrest of Franco-Algerian author Boualem Sansal, which further strained already tense Algeria-France relations and highlighted the intelligence services’ growing disconnect from broader diplomatic objectives.

Atalayar