Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper walks out to brief the press after meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune today in Algiers, Algeria Oct. 1, 2020.  The two leaders discussed the security situation in North Africa and ways to cooperate in the security sphere. (Photo By: Jim Garamone, DOD)

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made an unusual visit to North African nation Algeria Thursday for talks with the president about Libya and the troubled Sahel  region.  The visit came shortly after U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, met with President Abdelmajid Tebboune in Algiers in late September. Esper’s visit is the first by a US Defense Secretary to Algeria since Donald Rumsfeld’s in 2006. Esper discussed expanding military cooperation between the U.S. and Algeria with President Tebboune.  The two leaders discussed the security situation in North Africa and the Sahel, the way forward in Libya and the uncertainties in Mali. They also discussed the threats from violent extremist organizations in the region and beyond.  With a population of more than 42 million, the country is one of the largest in North Africa, and the nation appears to be willing to play a more assertive role in the region, said a defense official speaking on background.  Before arriving at the presidential office, Esper placed a wreath at the Martyrs Monument. The monument stands as a memorial for the more than 1 million Algerians who lost their lives fighting for independence from France, which they gained in 1962. President Tebboune took office in December after mass protests last year led the army to push his predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down after 20 years in power.

U.S. Africa Command leaders meet with Algeria’s leadership

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, met with President Abdelmajid Tebboune in Algiers, Algeria Sept. 23, 2020. (Credit: US. Africa Command) 

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, met with President Tebboune in Algiers, Algeria Sept. 23, to discuss regional security issues and engagement opportunities. Tebboune and Townsend discussed strengthening bilateral ties and assisting each other in common areas of concern including regional stability and the need to degrade the influence of violent extremist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda affiliates. Algeria, the largest country in Africa, occupies an important location on the southern coast of the Mediterranean.

We would like to strengthen our ties with Algeria, and we look forward to both increasing engagements and furthering our cooperation. Algeria is a committed counterterrorism partner. They play a central role to the security of North Africa and the Mediterranean. The stability and security of this region is important to U.S., African, and European interests.”

-U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command

MALI  and   LIBYA Conflict High on Agenda 

The leaders also discussed regional security concerns, including the ongoing conflict in Libya and the recent mutiny in Mali.   Both nations share borders with Algeria.  During the visit, the U.S. delegation met with a number of Algerian leaders, including newly-appointed Chief of Defense, Lt. Gen. Said Chanegriha; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sabri Boukadoum.

The U.S. is one of Algeria’s top trading partners and Algeria is one of the top U.S. trading partners in the Middle East/North Africa region.

This is the first visit to Algeria by U.S. Africa Command commander since 2018.