Chengriha reinforces Algeria's BRICS candidacy in Brazil
Algeria's Chief of Army Staff, Said Chengriha, is currently in Brazil, where he has been officially invited to participate in LAAD 2023 (International Defence and Security Fair). The event, held in Rio de Janeiro, began at the beginning of the week and will end on 14 April.
During his stay in Brazil, Chengriha, in addition to strengthening ties at a time when Algeria is facing strong regional isolation, will try to pave the way for Algeria's entry into the group of five emerging states - BRICS - made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
As experts tell Al-Arab, 'Chengriha's participation in the event and the desire to become a BRICS member by appealing to Brazil reflect Algeria's need to seek new allies outside its region, amidst a clear isolation with the Maghreb countries and Europe'.
Recently, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune noted during an interview with Al Jazeera that the nations that make up the group support the North African country's entry. "China and Russia have come out in favour, as have South Africa and Brazil, led by President Lula da Silva," Tebboune told Al Jazeera.
"This means that the door is wide open," he added, noting that a final decision could be taken at the group's next meeting this summer in South Africa, which holds the regular BRICS presidency this year. However, Tebboune also acknowledged that "much work remains to be done", such as increasing GDP or the contribution rate of the industrial sector.
Algeria officially submitted its application for BRICS membership last November. Shortly after taking the step, Russia welcomed the Algerian government's decision and invited Tebboune to Moscow. A few weeks earlier, Chinese diplomacy praised Algeria's accession "to the BRICS family".
In addition to participating in LAAD 2023 - the most important defence and security fair in Latin America - and reinforcing Algeria's candidacy for the BRICS, Chengriha will discuss with his Brazilian counterparts the "strengthening of cooperation between the National People's Army (ANP) and the Brazilian Armed Forces", as well as "issues of common interest", according to a statement released by APS.
The two countries signed a defence partnership agreement in 2018. The treaty was ratified by the Brazilian Senate in 2022 and provides for collaboration in intelligence, personnel training and the acquisition of weapons and military equipment, according to El Watan. Now, relations between Algiers and Brasilia are taking on a new dimension, as the Maghreb country hopes to obtain the South American nation's support for its entry into the BRICS.
Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.