Algeria: DRS dissolved and replaced by three-pronged Security Department linked to the Presidency of the Republic

The Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS) has been officially dissolved by Presidential decree signed by the President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, well-informed political sources announced Sunday.

The relevant presidential decree also stipulates the creation of a new structure called “Directorate of Security Affairs” to replace the DRS, now dissolved.

According to information received by “Echorouk”, Major General, Athmane Tartag will be at the head of this Department which will report directly to the Presidency of the Republic.

The Directorate of National Security will be responsible for ensuring internal security, and coordinating with constituent bodies (Army, Gendarmerie and Police), while the other directorates pursuant to the latter will be entrusted with investigating into the sensitive affairs linked to the country’s internal security, as well as bolstering the fight against criminality in close conjunction and cooperation with other security forces while ensuring a follow-up in terms of external security.

This new Directorate is the enshrinment of a former project launched in 2002 by President Bouteflika, geared to the creation of a Ministry of “National Security”.

As a reminder, a series of sweeping changes have been made by President Abdellaziz Bouteflika within the different security services since last June 2016.