Washington distances itself from Algeria: “The MAK and Rachad do not constitute a terrorist threat.”
Although Algeria and the United States strengthened their cooperation in counterterrorism efforts in 2023, the practices of the Algerian regime have sparked sharp international criticism. Beyond the security efforts presented, an internal repression policy and growing diplomatic isolation are emerging, as Algeria seems to use the fight against terrorism as a pretext to stifle any form of opposition and dissent.
Recently, Algeria has intensified its counterterrorism operations, announcing the arrest of alleged terrorists and the destruction of weapon caches. While these actions have managed to contain, to some extent, groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Islamic State in Algeria, they do little to conceal the regime’s glaring failure to eradicate the roots of terrorism, especially in border areas. The increasing threats from its southern neighbors, such as Mali and Niger, highlight Algeria’s inability to effectively secure its borders, leaving the country vulnerable to terrorist infiltrations and transnational criminal networks.
However, what generates the most criticism is the controversial decision to keep the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK) and the Rachad movement on its list of terrorist organizations. This stance, condemned by the U.S. State Department, is seen more as a political repression than a genuine counterterrorism strategy. According to Washington, neither group has committed terrorist acts according to international definitions. Far from responding to security imperatives, these designations appear aimed at silencing internal opposition and justifying a crackdown against political activists and regime critics.
Furthermore, Algerian authorities have been criticized for their abusive use of anti-terrorism laws to limit fundamental freedoms. Observers, including UN bodies, accuse the regime of using these laws to stifle dissent and marginalize opposing voices, further confirming the country’s authoritarian drift.
On the diplomatic front, Algeria persists in its confrontational policy with Morocco, to the detriment of collective efforts needed to address regional threats. By supporting separatist movements like the Polisario and maintaining a hostile rhetoric toward Rabat, Algiers isolates itself further, undermining bilateral and regional cooperation initiatives in the fight against terrorism. Even worse, Algeria’s hosting of a Rif National Party office seems like a provocative attempt to weaken Morocco, adding a new layer of unnecessary tensions in the region.
Ultimately, Algeria presents itself as a regime more concerned with consolidating its power than with the security of its citizens. Its exploitation of security issues, combined with aggressive diplomacy and a disregard for fundamental freedoms, not only weakens its position on the international stage but also the stability of the entire region.