Algeria: President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s diplomacy betrays the aspirations of the Algerian people

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is pursuing a foreign policy that is raising serious concerns both domestically and internationally. Far from serving the interests of the Algerian people, his diplomatic choices appear to align with obscure agendas that undermine regional cooperation efforts against terrorism. A recent incident involving the downing of a Malian drone illustrates a troubling shift: instead of strengthening solidarity with Sahel countries fighting terrorism, Algiers is increasingly seen as a barrier to these joint efforts.

President Tebboune’s diplomatic approach has gradually damaged Algeria’s relationships with several traditional partners and neighboring countries. By breaking or weakening ties with states engaged in counterterrorism efforts—such as members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—the Algerian regime gives the impression of deliberate, even strategic, isolation. This stance is particularly worrying as it weakens Algeria’s regional credibility and casts doubt on its genuine willingness to collaborate in combating cross-border insecurity.

Through his refusal to openly cooperate with governments at war with armed terrorist groups, President Tebboune is sending a troubling message: that his policies may be unintentionally, or even deliberately, playing into the hands of those who threaten the safety of Sahelian populations.

Ultimately, it is the Algerian citizens who bear the brunt of this approach. They are left without a constructive foreign policy and are denied international relations that could promote regional stability, development, and peace. The current diplomacy does not reflect the values of solidarity or the aspirations of the Algerian people. It is urgent for the people of Algeria to reclaim their voice and demand a more responsible foreign policy—one that is genuinely aligned with national interests and committed to the cause of peace, not hindered by opaque political motives.