BY: Dr. Hana Saada
During the CISSA North Africa Regional Workshop in Algiers, Algeria Reaffirms Its Unwavering Commitment to Continental Security and the Fight Against Fake News as an Existential Threat
Algiers, Algeria | April 21st, 2025 — In a resounding display of leadership and regional solidarity, Algeria reaffirmed its enduring commitment to safeguarding Africa’s stability through a decisive stance against disinformation, a growing and borderless threat weaponized to destabilize states and manipulate public opinion. The North Africa Regional Workshop of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), held on Sunday at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers, brought together senior officials, intelligence representatives, and continental actors under the theme: “The Repercussions of Fake News and Disinformation on the Security and Stability of States.”
General Rochdi Fethi Moussaoui, Director General of Documentation and External Security and CISSA’s North Africa representative, delivered a powerful keynote address, stating unequivocally that “Algeria, deeply anchored in its African identity, will remain at the forefront of efforts to defend the continent’s stability and sovereignty.”
Conveying the salutations and unwavering support of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, General Moussaoui stressed the existential nature of this struggle:
“Our fight against disinformation is not simply a media concern—it is a historical and strategic necessity to preserve the sovereignty and unity of African nations. This battle is not optional—it is our duty, dictated by our moral and historical responsibility to shield our peoples from campaigns of destabilization and disintegration.”
The general emphasized Algeria’s proactive role in confronting this hybrid threat, highlighting how fake news has evolved from mere online fabrication to a sophisticated and dangerous tool of political warfare. He explained that malicious actors are leveraging advanced information and communication technologies to erode trust between governments and their citizens, manipulate narratives, and fracture societal cohesion.
“Disinformation today has transcended media—it is now a direct threat to state security, wielded as a strategic weapon to influence populations and compromise national sovereignty,” he warned.
General Moussaoui lauded the holding of the workshop as a manifestation of collective commitment to continental security, noting that the event itself testifies to the shared resolve of African states to counter disinformation through collaboration, vigilance, and common action.
Echoing this sentiment, the Chair of the CISSA Committee, Madama Mahoundi, emphasized the urgent need for a pan-African response to combat the cross-border spread of fake news. He cautioned that the exponential rise of disinformation, exacerbated by technological advancements, poses a grave risk to African stability.
“This phenomenon knows no borders. The digital age has allowed it to spread rapidly across the continent, turning it into a formidable challenge for all African security services,” he said, calling for “immediate, actionable recommendations” to be implemented in the wake of the workshop.
The workshop gained further momentum from a high-level message delivered by the African Union’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Bankole Adeoye. Speaking through his representative, he praised Algeria’s pivotal role in combating terrorism, extremism, and disinformation, recognizing the North African nation as a reliable force for peace on the continent.
“The hosting of this regional workshop in Algiers reflects the immense trust placed in Algeria by the African Union—as a regional and continental stabilizing power,” declared Adeoye. He further called for unity, alertness, and collective resolve to stem the tide of disinformation, now considered a digital weapon wielded by malign actors to exploit vulnerabilities and sow discord.
Algeria’s strategic approach to the issue has been holistic—treating disinformation not merely as a communication crisis, but as a direct threat to sovereignty and peace. The country continues to position itself as a bulwark against narrative warfare, leveraging its geopolitical stature, intelligence capabilities, and historical credibility in Africa.
The Algiers workshop marked not only a call to action but also a declaration of a continental doctrine of resistance—one in which Algeria remains at the helm, advocating for an Africa that is united, sovereign, and impervious to digital manipulation.
