Algerian chief of staff warns of increasing US presence in Africa

The chief of staff of the Algerian People’s National Army, and vice minister of defence, warned on Monday of the increasing US presence in Africa and the Mediterranean coast, Quds Press has reported. “Building new imperial bases in the north of Africa and the [Mediterranean] coast threatens the whole region,” insisted Ahmed Gaid Saleh, “mainly our country, which is the favourite target for the great powers.”

Making his comments in a statement issued to mark the anniversary of Algeria’s independence from France, the army chief pointed out that the great powers “do not stop putting pressure on Algeria to oblige it to ignore its historic stances.”

He pointed out that a US military base is being built in Algeria’s neighbour, Niger. “This is a looming danger. We see the American military presence on our borders posing a direct danger to our national sovereignty and security.”

Saleh stressed that the Algerian army is the “defensive shield” of the country. It needs citizens to be loyal, as that is the “only way” to protect Algeria from its enemies.

Meanwhile, the opposition Labour Party in Algeria has warned the government about requesting external loans in the current deteriorating economic and social environment, as well as the local and regional security situation.

“External debts cost the country too much during the black decade,” the opposition said in response to the head of the financial committee in the National Popular Council. The NPC official insisted that “external debt is not taboo.”

“Anything that puts the country and its national sovereignty at risk,” countered Labour, “including external debt, is a crime against the nation.” It criticised proposed laws for “inciting” the working class and warned that the 2017 budget will undermine all of Algeria’s efforts to improve the social and economic situation, which helped the country to avoid the Arab Spring unrest.