Algeria: surrender of a jihadist active in the Sahel

An Algerian jihadist who had joined "

" in the Sahel surrendered to the Algerian military authorities in Bordj Badji Mokhtar, a town bordering Mali, the Algerian defense ministry announced on Monday (June 14th).

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"

" the ministry said in a statement, specifying that 'in 2008 he rallied "

". He had in his possession a Kalashnikov-type submachine gun and ammunition. The term "

" is used by the authorities to designate armed Islamists who have remained active since the civil war (1992-2002).

This is the sixth Algerian belonging to the jihadist movement in the Sahel to surrender to the authorities of this city since the beginning of the year. A year ago, the head of the jihadist organization Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqmi), the Algerian Abdelmalek Droukdal, was killed by the French armed forces in northern Mali. He was replaced by another Algerian, Abou Oubaïda Youssef, according to Aqmi.

President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday a reduction in the French military presence in the Sahel, which will result in the closure of bases and a re-articulation of the anti-jihadist fight around an "

". Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently mentioned, with regard to Mali and Libya, the possibility of a military engagement of Algeria abroad because "

" under the aegis of United Nations, the African Union or the Arab League. According to analysts, Algiers, concerned about the risks of instability at its borders, intends to weigh more on the regional scene, in Libya and the Sahel.