Major General M'henna Djebbar raises speculation in Algerian Army
In a surprising turn of events, Major General M'henna Djebbar has become the center of controversy and speculation due to his conspicuous absence among the senior Algerian Army figures recently promoted to new ranks.
As reported by Maghreb Intelligence, several rumors have been circulating about the reasons for the lack of distinction to M'henna Djebbar, raising questions about his future within the military hierarchy. Despite promises of a prestigious position and his advanced age of over 75 years, the general was not granted the coveted position of coordinator of all Algerian secret services; specifically that of head of intelligence services, a position that has been vacant since May 2019.
The previous head of the Algerian secret services, General Bachir Tartag, was imprisoned in the military prison of Blida by the late Ahmed Gaid Salah, leaving the post unfilled. However, on July 5, 2023, M'henna Djebbar's hopes and ambitions came crashing down when he was denied both the promotion to head of the services and the rank of general of the army.
There has been speculation about the role of Said Chengriha, the Chief of Staff of the Algerian National People's Army. However, this public rumor seems unfounded, as the real explanation lies in M'henna Djebbar's series of failures since he took up his post at the General Directorate of Documentation and External Security (DDSE), the Algerian foreign intelligence agency.
Upon taking over the DDSE in September 2023, Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Chengriha assigned M'henna Djebbar two crucial missions: neutralizing opposition networks abroad and reducing Morocco's influence in neighboring countries. Unfortunately, the general failed to make significant progress in the mission to counter Morocco's influence.
His attempts to persuade Malian colonels to distance themselves from Morocco proved unsuccessful, as Moroccan economic and political interests remained intact and Malian leaders resisted Algiers' overtures. Morocco continued to strengthen its relations with various political actors in Mali, which raised the concern of its Algerian neighbor.
Similar disappointments were experienced in Libya, where M'henna Djebbar's strategy to undermine Morocco's influence failed. Despite their efforts to marginalize Moroccan diplomats and services in Libya, M'henna Djebbar's teams were unable to succeed. Their attempts to convince neighboring countries, including Niger and Mauritania, to prioritize relations with Algeria over Morocco did not yield the desired results. The Moroccan services continued to expand their influence, leaving Algeria increasingly constrained and threatened.
However, the final blow came when the DDSE failed to provide detailed information on Morocco's arms acquisitions from Israeli and U.S. partners. The agency's reports did not anticipate U.S. deliveries of sophisticated weaponry to Morocco, nor did they alert the Algerian Army General Staff to the significant military assistance provided by the United Arab Emirates. These shortcomings convinced Tebboune and Chengriha to reconsider their confidence in M'henna Djebbar. The legendary status it had enjoyed for many decades seems of little consequence today.
As the absence and lack of promotion of Major General M'henna Djebbar continues to generate controversy, the Algerian Army finds itself grappling with questions surrounding its leadership and future strategic direction. But the repercussions of these events have yet to fully unfold, as Algeria's military landscape is undergoing significant change.
