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Rabat – Algeria’s Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui announced a notable cabinet reshuffle on Monday, with the promotion of General Said Chengriha, the influential Chief of Staff, to the role of Delegate for National Defense.
The move reflects President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s efforts to consolidate power after his re-election in September, while also spotlighting General Chengriha’s significant—and often contentious—role in shaping Algeria’s regional policies.
Chengriha, 79, has long been a key figure in Algeria’s military establishment, known for his unwavering support towards the country’s fraught relationship with Morocco.
A vocal supporter of the Polisario Front and Western Sahara’s independence, Chengriha’s views reflect Algeria’s broader policy of staunch opposition to Morocco’s territorial integrity over the region.
Leaked excerpts of a 2016 speech during military exercises revealed his call for solidarity with the “Sahrawi people’s struggle for independence.”
His ascent to a civilian government role is seen by many as a move to further integrate Algeria’s military influence into its policymaking.
It also underlines the centrality of national security in Tebboune’s administration, particularly given the escalating tensions with Morocco over territorial disputes, border security, and regional alliances.
Beyond his foreign policy positions, Chengriha has shown a capacity for managing domestic challenges. While commanding Algeria’s Third Military Region, he intervened in civil disputes, including mediating a 2015 Air Algérie strike that disrupted operations at Béchar airport and calming protests in Tindouf in 2017 after allegations of electoral fraud.
The reshuffle brought other significant changes, including Lotfi Boudjemaa’s appointment as Minister of Justice, replacing Abderrachid Tebbi, and Sifi Gharib as Industry Minister, succeeding Ali Aoun.
Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian Football Federation, now heads the Ministry of Sports, while the Commerce Ministry has been split into Domestic Trade and External Trade portfolios, led by Tayeb Zitouni and Mohamed Boukhari, respectively.
Prime Minister Larbaoui, a seasoned diplomat with a distinguished career as Algeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations, remains at the helm. His reappointment highlights President Tebboune’s trust in his leadership during a period of regional uncertainty and economic reform.
