ORAN, Algeria – The Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, expressed on Monday Algeria’s pride in hosting the Oran Process. He highlighted Algeria’s commitment to supporting this unique and vital initiative, recognising it as a key feature of the African joint action agenda and a broad platform for exchanging views, fostering dialogue, and unifying positions. FM Attaf also emphasised Algeria’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, where President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has pledged to dedicate the country’s term to amplifying Africa’s voice, advocating for its concerns, and defending its priorities and causes.
On the second and final day of the 11th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, FM Attaf emphasised that the session’s outcomes will “significantly enhance” the African collective efforts, adding that the seminar had effectively highlighted key approaches and opportunities for addressing both external and internal challenges facing the continent.
The Algerian Minister drew attention to ongoing efforts to weaken and marginalise international law, as well as to undermine global organisations, including the UN, in their role of resolving international disputes and crises. He pointed to the Zionist genocide in Gaza as a poignant example of this alarming trend.
“Force is being institutionalised, excessive force is being normalised, and the doctrine of double standards is being entrenched, openly promoting and embracing unilateral, isolationist tendencies,” FM Attaf said.
Moreover, FM Attaf highlighted the double standard of a European country, a signatory to the Rome Statute, which recently announced its intention to disregard arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. This stands in stark contrast to the uproar the same country raised when similar arrest warrants were issued by the ICC against leaders from both African and non-African countries in recent years.
“This twisted logic once again reaffirms the validity of the African vision, which calls for the urgent reform of the global governance system to enable our continent—the voice of reason, wisdom, and commitment—to play a key role in addressing major international and regional challenges. This vision was reaffirmed during our meeting,” he said.
In this context, FM Attaf shed light on Africa’s recent achievements in strengthening its position on the international stage. These include Africa’s attainment of permanent membership in the G20, the increasing recognition of its right to permanent representation on the UN Security Council, and the growing acknowledgement of the need to reform international economic and financial organisations to ensure fairness and protect Africa’s rights. He also noted the fulfilment of Africa’s demands for funding peace operations authorised by the African Union, ensuring effective oversight and follow-up.
Furthermore, the Algerian Minister reiterated the importance of activating African solutions to African problems, particularly in confronting the growing terrorist threats in the Sahel region, addressing flashpoints of tension, crises, and conflicts that threaten African nations, and tackling other security, political, and environmental challenges discussed in detail during the session.
FM Attaf underscored that, in light of these undeniable truths, it is crucial to redouble efforts to end foreign interventions in Africa’s affairs, eliminate the divisions sown between African nations, and regain control over the continent to ensure a brighter future for both Africa and the world.
