Maghreb Edition

Algeria fires head of police, arrests 11 Oran Airport security officersF

Posted On 8 January 2024

Number of times this article was read : 2023

Farid Bencheikh, the head of gigantic police and security agency, the Director General of National Security (DGSN), was fired today and replaced by another officer, Ali Badaoui. Bencheikh had been in office since 15 March 2021.

Although the presidency did not specify the reason for the sacking, the decision came less than ten days after an undocumented migrant was found on December 28, 2024, at France’s Orly airport stuck in the landing gear of the Air Algérie flight coming from Oran, Algeria.  The incident has raised questions about security in Algerian airports, since it is not the first time that such an incident has occurred inside what Algeria considered to be sensitive infrastructures. Interestingly, Badaoui, who was called to replace Bencheikh, was head of the Border Police, which is directly responsible for the airport security, creating confusion among analysts as to why he was not sectioned instead. Stiil Badaou has a great deal of support from the security establishment in Algeria, having led several provincial security outfits.

As for Bencheikh, although the primary motive of his sacking may have been the Air Algerie incident, he has been under intense attack from his detractors for more than one year. He has been accused of corruption. He is accused of conducting business while he was the top law enforcement official in Algeria, including allegedly buying a hotel in Paris, France. He is also accused of partnering with his brother in allegedly buying and selling hotels and bar in France. All these accusations led many to worry about clear conflicts of interest with a top security officer in Algeria conducting private business in a foreign country, with all its implications on national security.

In a press release, the Presidency insisted on the “direct responsibility” of police officers at Oran airport, also directly blaming an Air Algérie technician, promising legal actions against them.

On Monday, a Court of Oran ordered the incarceration of 11 people, all officers working for the Border Police at Oran Airport, pending ongoing investigations into the case.

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco Becomes Africa’s Top-Ranked Industrial Economy✓

Morocco has become Africa’s leading industrial economy, followed by South Africa and Egypt. The African Development Bank (AfDB) ranked Tunisia fourth, reinforcing North Africa’s position as one of the continent’s principal industrial regions. The AfDB’s 2025 Africa Industrialization Index placed Morocco ahead of South Africa as Africa’s highest-ranked industrial economy.

Algerian Gas Exports to Europe Rise for Fourth Consecutive Month✓

Algeria continued to expand natural gas exports to Europe during the first four months of 2026, benefiting from steady pipeline deliveries to key markets including Spain and Italy. While Europe’s gas market continues shifting toward LNG imports, Algeria has maintained its position as one of the continent’s leading pipeline suppliers through a combination of established infrastructure, long-term contracts, and growing LNG activity.

Mali: Bamako Under Siege✓

Bamako is facing mounting pressure as jihadist group JNIM expands its campaign beyond military operations and increasingly targets the economic lifelines connecting Mali’s capital to the rest of West Africa. Attacks on highways, freight traffic, and commercial transport corridors have disrupted trade, affected regional commerce, and raised concerns about the government’s ability to maintain security and economic stability.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.