
Djahid Zefizef, former president of the Algerian Football Federation FAF, has been placed in provisional detention at Koléa prison. This decision was made by the investigating judge at the Sidi M’hamed economic and financial penal division on Tuesday, April 28. Zefizef is being prosecuted in a new corruption case related to the company "Frigomedit," which specializes in industrial refrigeration and which he previously managed. He had been under judicial supervision since November 2023, with his passport confiscated and a ban on leaving the country. The investigation involves 60 individuals, with seven placed in provisional detention. Zefizef was elected FAF president in June 2022, succeeding Charaf-Eddine Amara, but resigned in July 2023 after failing to secure a position on the Confederation of African Football's Executive Committee. In addition to the "Frigomedit" case, Zefizef is also under investigation alongside other former FAF officials, including Kheireddine Zetchi, who is currently in detention, and Charaf-Eddine Amara. The charges in this broader investigation include abuse of office, illegal procurement, and money laundering, stemming from contracts concluded in violation of legal procedures to grant undue advantages and the misappropriation of public funds. Irregularities in the management of sporting events like CHAN-2023 and CAN U17, as well as excessive spending and controversial contracts with a foreign travel agency, are also part of the inquiry.
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Must ReadAlgeria and the United States are advancing their military cooperation. Army General Saïd Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the ANP, met with Army General Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, in Algiers. This meeting, held at the headquarters of the National People's Army ANP General Staff, signifies a key moment in security relations between Algiers and Washington. Discussions focused on bilateral military cooperation and matters of mutual interest. General Chanegriha emphasized that this visit strengthens the ongoing cooperation process, especially following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation in January 2025. The Chief of Staff of the ANP highlighted Algeria's commitment to deepening this strategic dialogue, aiming to establish a strong and lasting partnership based on mutual respect. Beyond the bilateral relationship, Saïd Chanegriha reiterated Algeria's leading role on the continent. Under the mandate of the African Union AU, the country continues to spearhead the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Algeria has initiated several major continental initiatives to enhance the collective fight against insecurity, including the creation of an African financial fund dedicated to counter-terrorism, the establishment of an African list of individuals and entities involved in criminal acts, and the development of an African arrest warrant. The Army General also mentioned the annual
Must ReadBoumediene Rozale, Deputy Attorney General at the Oran Court, clarified the case of Kamel Daoud, who was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison and a fine. Rozale stated that the public action and criminal proceedings were initiated not by the prosecutor's office, but following complaints filed by victims. He specified that Kamel Daoud is being prosecuted by the National Organization of Victims of Terrorism and by the plaintiff Saâda Arabane. Rozale emphasized that criminal procedure guarantees victims the right to initiate public action independently of the prosecutor's office by filing a complaint with the investigating judge, who is legally obligated to open and complete an investigation. He also noted that Daoud was summoned multiple times to his last known address in Oran, and the investigation lasted over a year, providing him an opportunity to appear and present his defense. Following the investigation, the case was transferred to the Fellaoucene court's correctional section, where Daoud was again summoned to several hearings. The trial concluded with a judgment in absentia, imposing the minimum legal penalty: three years imprisonment, a 300,000 dinar fine, and damages for the association of terrorism victims. Rozale reminded that Daoud has the right to file an objection, which would annul the default judgment. Kamel Daoud had previously been convicted a week prior in a separate case brought by the National Organization of Victims of Terrorism. A second case is
Must ReadThe Bank of Algeria has issued new instruction n°03-26, effective May 1, 2026, which significantly reduces the maximum foreign commitments for banks and financial institutions. This new regulation amends and supplements instruction n°02-2015, lowering the limit from 100% to 50% of a bank's regulatory own funds. Previously, a bank with 100 billion dinars in own funds could commit up to 100 billion dinars internationally; under the new rule, this will be capped at 50 billion dinars. This change will impact importers and cross-border financing, as banks will need to immediately revise their exposure to current and future import files. Financial institutions will see their capacity to issue guarantees or documentary letters of credit reduced by half. Importers may face refusals or delays if their reference bank's ceilings are already met. The measure covers all signature commitments related to import operations, after deducting guarantee deposits and provisions made in dinars for these operations. Governor Mohamed Lamine Lebbou's signing of this text signals the Bank of Algeria's intent to strengthen its supervision of external risks.
Must ReadAlgeria's Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, officially launched the construction of the El Aouinet power plant in the Tébessa region. This facility, with a capacity exceeding 1,400 MW, will be the country's second-largest energy project. Located in the "Argoub El Asfar" area of El Aouinet, on a 40-hectare site, the plant aims to secure the national electricity grid and support Algeria's overall development. The project, with an investment cost of 184.09 billion DA, utilizes combined cycle technology, which uses both gas and steam turbines for electricity generation. This method is expected to achieve a 30% saving in fuel consumption, whether natural gas or diesel, and reduce environmental impact. The construction phase is projected to create 1,500 jobs, with 500 permanent positions for the plant's operation. The infrastructure's management will be handled exclusively by Algerian personnel to foster knowledge transfer. Due to its strategic location in a border wilaya, the El Aouinet plant is expected to supply Tébessa and neighboring wilayas, with future ambitions to export electricity. Tébessa currently boasts nearly 99% electricity coverage and over 77% gas coverage. The El Aouinet project, entrusted to the Sonelgaz group in partnership with the Chinese company CNEEC, is scheduled for completion within 48 months.