Algeria Reshuffles Military, Security Forces

Arab World

March 17th, 8:11am

Algiers - Boualem Goumrassa

Demonstrators gather in Algeria's capital Algiers, as the resurgent Hirak pro-democracy movement demands the overhaul of the ruling elite. (Reuters file phot)

The Algerian presidency terminated on Tuesday the service of Director General of National Security (DGSN) Khelifa Ounissi. He was replaced by Farid Zineddine Bencheikh, a prominent member of the agency and an expert in forensic analysis and counter-terrorism. The presidency did not disclose the reason for the dismissal of Ounissi, who was appointed to his post in 2020. He was known for firmly confronting the anti-government Hirak protest movement. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested during his term and he authorized the use of force against rallies on several occasions under direct orders from the military. A day earlier, Chief of Staff Said Chengriha appointed Mohamed Salah Benbicha as acting general secretary of the Defense Ministry, replacing Abdelhamid Ghris. The Defense Ministry did not disclose the reason for Ghris’ dismissal. During the ceremony marking Benbicha’s appointment, Chengriha called on members of the ministry to exert greater efforts in “serving Algeria and protecting its higher interests.” The changes took place less than a month after the Hirak movement returned to the streets after a nearly year-long pause prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. The protests resumed in force as the country braces to hold parliamentary elections on June 12. Observers predict that civil society activists will sweep the polls, ousting regime loyalists.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2865046/algeria-reshuffles-military-security-forces