President Tebboune Sets Out Ambitious Economic Targets, Defends Sovereignty in Media Address

At the heart of the President’s remarks was the strategic railway line linking the Gara Djebilet iron ore mine to Tindouf and Béchar, which he described as the starting point for a broader national programme of similar projects extending to eastern, central and far southern regions, including Tamanrasset. Tebboune revealed that a complementary project is underway in Béchar to process and purify iron ore from Gara Djebilet, adding that a specialised Spanish engineering consultancy had confirmed the mine’s high and clearly established profitability.

The President further announced that the national railway company has opened 500 new jobs to meet operational requirements for the new line. He pointed to a marked shift in national capabilities, noting that Algeria is now able to complete a four-kilometre bridge in just six months—an undertaking that previously required years to build structures measuring only a few hundred metres.

Expressing deep pride in the realisation of the mining railway, President Tebboune stressed that the project had been completed using national expertise and within record timeframes. He said its delivery provided tangible proof of Algeria’s capacity to achieve what he described as “extraordinary feats,” despite persistent attempts to cast doubt on the country’s development path. The project, he added, demonstrated that “Algeria’s men remain standing, even as many elsewhere have chosen submission.”

On the economic front, the President reiterated his ambition to raise national income to 400 billion dollars annually by the end of 2027. He highlighted progress in diversifying exports, noting that non-hydrocarbon exports have reached five billion dollars, compared with just 1.7 billion previously. President Tebboune acknowledged, however, that Algerian exports face external obstacles, particularly in construction steel, citing campaigns of hostility against Algerian products. He disclosed that in Europe, a quota system had been imposed on Algerian steel exports due to pressure from a single European country.

“Algeria cannot be blackmailed,” the President said, adding that some actors “fail to grasp the lessons of history,” while Algerians, he insisted, “have always embraced challenge.” In a sharply worded historical reference, President Tebboune contrasted those who follow the legacy of Algeria’s national heroes with others who, he said, align themselves with figures associated with betrayal and colonial collaboration.

Addressing media freedoms, the President reaffirmed his commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of the press, while drawing a firm line against abuse. “I recognise freedom of expression and work to safeguard it, but I do not recognise the freedom to insult or defame,” he said. President Tebboune urged journalists to publish any verified evidence they may hold against public officials, stressing that no one enjoys immunity from the law. He recalled that officials from within the presidency itself have appeared before the courts and are currently serving prison sentences.

At the same time, the President warned against invoking freedom of expression to question matters settled constitutionally and by popular will, particularly national unity. “There is a clear difference between freedom of expression and a lack of civility,” he said, underlining the state’s commitment to the rule of law.

On foreign relations, Tebboune described Algeria’s ties with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar as “strong and more than fraternal,” stressing that any harm to Saudi Arabia is, by definition, harm to Algeria, given their shared history. He reaffirmed similarly close relations with Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt, recalling Egypt’s military support to Algeria during the 1963 aggression, and Algeria’s reciprocal support to Egypt under the late President Houari Boumediene when Cairo required military assistance.

The President concluded by affirming that Algeria maintains positive relations with all Arab states, with the exception of a single “micro-state” that repeatedly seeks to provoke tensions and interfere in Algeria’s internal affairs—an approach, he suggested, that stands in stark contrast to Algeria’s principles of sovereignty and mutual respect.