Algeria: Tebboune Leads Meeting on Transport Sector Following Tragic Bus Accident
ALGIERS, August 26, 2025 – The Algerian President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Minister of National Defense, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, presided over a meeting focused on the transport sector on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Presidency.
At the outset of the meeting, a moment of reflection was observed in memory of the victims of the recent tragic bus accident, which highlighted several shortcomings within the system, the statement reported.
Following comprehensive discussions and contributions from attendees, it was decided to “immediately import 10,000 new passenger transport buses to replace the older models, under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry,” as well as to “massively import various types of vehicle tires.”
Additionally, there was an agreement to “develop and present new legislation regarding traffic regulations at the next Cabinet meeting, particularly concerning the conditions for issuing driver’s licenses.”
It was also determined that those responsible for road accidents would be held accountable, drivers would undergo periodic checks, and inspection centers would be enhanced to detect potential use of drugs or psychoactive substances, according to the same source.
For the first time, the statement added, “responsibility in the event of accidents will also extend to parties involved in road construction and maintenance, driving schools, vehicle technical control organizations, and any other entities deemed accountable for accidents.”
During the meeting, it was resolved to “task the Gendarmerie and Police services with intensifying inspections across the national territory to ensure strict adherence to the traffic code and combat road terrorism,” the statement continued.
Attending the meeting were Army General Saïd Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the National People’s Army; Boualem Boualem, Director of the Cabinet at the Presidency; and the Ministers of Interior, Justice, Finance, Transport, Industry, Health, and Public Works. Also present were the President’s Advisor in charge of General Directorate of Communication, the Commander of the National Gendarmerie, the Director General of the National Police (DGSN), the Central Director of Military Industry at the Ministry of National Defense, and the Director General of Civil Protection, as noted in the Presidential communiqué.
