New York: Minister of State Ahmed Attaf Participates in AU Peace and Security Council Ministerial Meeting, Emphasizing Good Neighborliness and Counter-Terrorism

The Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, participated today in New York in the proceedings of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council Ministerial Meeting, dedicated to the theme "Good Neighborliness and Regional Responses to Security and Terrorist Challenges in Africa."

In an address delivered on this occasion, the Minister of State emphasized that good neighborliness has become an essential prerequisite for achieving collective security in Africa, in light of the growing transnational nature of terrorist threats, organized crime, and illicit flows of arms and funds. In this context, he stressed the urgent need to transition from unilateral national responses to a coordinated regional action based on dialogue, consultation, and security cooperation, in full respect of states' sovereignty, independence, non-interference in their internal affairs, and respect for borders existing upon independence.

The Minister of State also highlighted the priority attached by Algeria to combating the financing of terrorism and drying up its sources, particularly by countering the exploitation of advanced technologies for terrorist purposes, recalling in this regard the "Algiers Guiding Principles" adopted by the UN Security Council in January 2025 as a reference framework for bolstering international efforts in this domain.

Mr. Ahmed Attaf specifically noted the role played by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism. He added that the approach adopted by Algeria is rooted in the conviction that security and military measures, while necessary, cannot alone achieve sustainable peace and stability unless coupled with development, reconciliation, the strengthening of state institutions, and addressing the conditions exploited by terrorist organizations for recruitment and expansion.

Within this framework, the Minister of State outlined Algeria's experience in the Sahel region, which is based on supporting dialogue and reconciliation, strengthening security and border cooperation, and combating terrorism and organized crime, alongside promoting development and regional integration. He recalled structural projects such as the Trans-Saharan Highway, the fiber-optic backbone, and the Nigeria-Algeria gas pipeline, and their contribution to opening new economic horizons and reinforcing the pillars of sustainable security.

Mr. Ahmed Attaf concluded his address by stressing the necessity of reinforcing African ownership and leadership regarding security responses on the continent, shifting from early warning to early action, and from crisis management to conflict prevention. He reiterated Algeria's steadfast conviction that Africa's security is indivisible and that good neighborliness, solidarity, development, and reconciliation constitute the foundational pillars of sustainable peace and security.