Diplomatic Meeting Enhances Algeria-Australia Security Cooperation
Sofyane Chaib, Algeria's Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for the National Community Abroad, recently held discussions with Gemma Horgans, the Ambassador and Special Envoy of the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Counter-Terrorism. Ms. Horgans is currently on a working visit to Algeria from September 27 to 29. The purpose of this visit is to bolster dialogue and cooperation between the two nations on critical issues related to counter-terrorism. During her stay, Ms. Horgans also engaged with officials from the African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) and the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL).
The meeting provided an opportunity to delve into Algeria's extensive experience in combating terrorism and violent extremism. Both parties exchanged perspectives on the evolving landscape of terrorist threats, particularly in the African continent and the Sahel region. Mr. Chaib detailed Algeria's comprehensive and integrated strategy, which combines robust security responses with efforts to address the underlying causes exploited by terrorist organizations. This approach involves strengthening state institutions, supporting development initiatives, promoting reconciliation, and enhancing cooperation at both regional and international levels. Furthermore, Mr. Chaib emphasized President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's pivotal role as the African Union's champion in counter-terrorism and the country's dedication to fostering African ownership and leadership in confronting this challenge.
Algeria's significant contributions to global counter-terrorism endeavors were also highlighted, especially during its tenure on the United Nations Security Council. This included the adoption of the "Algeria Guiding Principles" in January 2025 by the Security Council, which serve as a reference framework for strengthening international cooperation against terrorist financing and the misuse of modern technologies for illicit purposes. The nation's active role in capacity building through its participation in the Global Counterterrorism Forum, a platform for sharing expertise and best practices, was also underscored. The discussions ultimately aimed to intensify cooperation and coordination within the UN framework, ensuring a more comprehensive and effective response to the rapidly changing nature of the terrorist threat through integrated national, regional, and international efforts.
