U.S. Ambassador Elisabeth Moore Aubin to Jeune Indépendant: ‘Algeria a Key Player in North Africa’ -Full Interview

✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers- Algeria, May 5, 2024 – As her tenure in Algeria draws to a close, United States Ambassador Elisabeth Moore Aubin reflects on her time in the country, her second diplomatic assignment in Algiers, in an exclusive interview with Jeune Indépendant newspaper. She discusses the multifaceted bilateral cooperation between Algiers and Washington, highlighting areas of mutual interest and ongoing dialogues, even on issues where the two countries may not always see eye to eye.

Ambassador Moore Aubin also elaborates on the U.S. administration’s stance regarding the Western Sahara conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, emphasizing adherence to UN principles and support for a solution endorsed by the international community. She underscores Algeria’s pivotal role in fostering security and stability in North Africa.

Jeune Indépendant: Could you share your assessment of Algerian-American relations since your arrival in Algeria?

Ambassador Elisabeth Moore Aubin: I am proud of the progress we have made in strengthening ties between the United States and Algeria. Together, we have enhanced Algerian entrepreneurial skills, expanded English language training opportunities, and fostered an open and beneficial dialogue on regional security. Economically, we have explored and concluded various mutually beneficial agreements across different regions of Algeria.

The visits to Algeria by the Secretary of State, the Deputy Secretary of State, the Commander of USAFRICOM, and several Deputy Secretaries underscore the importance of relations between our two countries. With Algeria serving on the UN Security Council, Secretary Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf have frequently consulted on various regional and international issues, committing to closely coordinate diplomatic efforts for peace and security worldwide. We continue to make strides in our joint fight against terrorism. This year, we have also increased our training sessions and exchanges with security services.

Jeune Indépendant: Among the various areas of collaboration, which segment has seen the most advancement in relations between Algiers and Washington?

Ambassador Moore Aubin: The United States and Algeria currently enjoy stronger security, economic, and cultural ties than ever before. In terms of trade, commercial exchanges have surged from $1.2 billion in 2020 to $2.6 billion in 2021, and then to over $4 billion in 2022. More than 100 American companies are already operating in Algeria, generating employment and economic growth not only in the oil and gas sectors but also in pharmaceuticals, technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, defense, and agriculture.

We take pride in collaborating with Algeria on a wide range of higher education and cultural initiatives, from English language instruction to projects aimed at advancing entrepreneurship and research skills, and not forgetting projects aimed at preserving Algeria’s cultural heritage.

In the security domain, Algeria plays a major role in combating terrorism and promoting stability in North Africa and the Sahel. We work closely with Algeria in the fight against terrorism and regional security to learn from each other and strengthen our respective capacities.

Jeune Indépendant : Numerous regional and international issues are subject to diligent consultations between Algiers and Washington, including the Western Sahara question and the Sahel. The current administration, which you represent, seems less decisive on the Western Sahara issue than the previous one? And how does Washington view the situation in Niger and Mali?

Ambassador Moore Aubin: We share the Algerian government’s concerns about the destabilizing presence of terrorist groups and non-state actors like the Wagner Group in the Sahel, and we agree on the importance of promoting security and prosperity in the region.

Regarding Mali, we regret the transitional government’s withdrawal from the Algiers Accord, which, if fully implemented, would have brought more stability to all Malians and the entire region. We are concerned about the resumption of hostilities between the signatory armed groups of the Algiers Accord and the transitional government.

Regarding Niger, we share Algeria’s goal of helping the country return to the path of democracy. We agree that good governance is key to effectively combating extremism and we commend Algeria’s efforts to provide development assistance to Sahelian states.

Regarding the Western Sahara, the United States strongly supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to lead the UN political process for Western Sahara. The Administration’s priority is to support a credible political process leading to a durable, dignified solution to the Western Sahara conflict supported by the international community. Additionally, we consult privately with the parties, neighboring states, and international partners on the best way to prevent further violence and achieve a sustainable solution.

Jeune Indépendant : After Pizza Hut, we recently saw the opening of a KFC franchise in Algiers, which doesn’t seem to have enthused Algerians and even elicited rejection due to the situation in Palestinian territories. Wasn’t the timing inappropriate to launch this franchise?

Ambassador Moore Aubin: Relations between the United States and Algeria reflect a shared vision of peace, security, and prosperity for the region. It is in this spirit that our two countries share the same objective for a two-state solution concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our relationship has expanded to promote inclusive economic development, improve opportunities for youth, and ensure access to American technology and expertise while promoting commercial ties.

Because franchises advance all these common economic goals, I was delighted to see KFC open a restaurant in Algiers. Franchises provide a direct and valuable means to transfer international standards of quality and service across different markets to serve consumers, create jobs, and investment for people worldwide. It is an excellent opportunity to enable equitable economic growth, whether it’s American companies investing in Algeria or Algerian companies expanding internationally. I hope KFC succeeds here because it benefits Algerians.

Jeune Indépendant : Many Algerians have benefited from training and exchange programs initiated mainly by the State Department. How many Algerians have benefited from these programs to date, and how many were there over the past four years?

Ambassador Moore Aubin: Every year, around 250 Algerians travel to the United States to participate in official exchange programs and training in various fields. Approximately 6,000 Algerians from across the country have already participated in our educational and cultural exchange programs. Additionally, the United States is proud to fund, to the tune of nearly $800,000 over a three-year period, a collaboration project between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Columbia University Teacher’s College, based in New York. Within this framework, Algerian and American experts in the field of education work together to achieve Algeria’s goal of making English a language of instruction in Algerian universities.

The U.S. Embassy in Algeria also works with the Ministry of Culture and Arts on a series of cultural preservation projects totaling over half a million U.S. dollars. These projects will help preserve and protect Algeria’s rich cultural heritage by leveraging American expertise in site management and security, digital archiving, legislation on cultural heritage preservation, and restoration of archaeological objects and structures. These projects stem from an official agreement signed between the U.S. Department of State and the Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts in Washington D.C. in 2019.

We are also working with Algeria to increase scientific exchanges, resilience to climate change, sustainable agricultural production, and bilateral trade. For example, every year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture funds up to five programs for representatives of the Algerian government, education sector, and private sector to participate in scientific and research exchanges aimed at advancing food security and agricultural sustainability in Algeria.

This year, five Algerians will travel to the United States to enhance their expertise in livestock feed efficiency and fertilizers to boost agricultural productivity. We are also proud that the University of Bordj Bou Arreridj in Algeria has signed a memorandum of understanding devoted to joint research and projects with Langston University in Oklahoma covering a range of disciplines including agriculture and business.

Jeune Indépendant : Are there any projects that have not yet been realized or are about to be realized, such as the agriculture sector, which seems to be receiving special attention from American operators?

Ambassador Moore Aubin: We are currently discussing the establishment of a framework for launching a direct flight between the United States and Algeria. This direct flight will propel our relations to a higher level, strengthening our collaborative work through more economic and cultural links and consolidating Algeria’s role as a regional hub for transportation and aviation. Additionally, this will give Americans even more confidence to invest in Algeria. Moreover, it will reduce the travel time needed for them to come negotiate on-site with their Algerian counterparts and, if successful, to regularly review their common projects. And vice versa. Direct flights will also strengthen the ties of the Algerian diaspora with Algeria by facilitating travel.

The United States, as a reliable supplier of quality agricultural inputs, is pleased to be a key supplier of quality agricultural inputs for Algeria’s food processing and manufacturing sectors – such as turkey and chicken hatching eggs – which create jobs and ensure long-term food security for Algerian citizens. We are currently working with the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture to obtain a certificate for the importation of beef. American beef would complement Algeria’s efforts to develop food processing, catering, and even tourism activities, allowing us to go even further in achieving our common goals.

Jeune Indépendant : The U.S. administration has just appointed Mr. Joshua Harris as the Ambassador of the United States to Algeria. Do you have an approximate date for his assumption of office?

Ambassador Moore Aubin: The nomination process can sometimes take a long time, and I have no information on the expected timeline. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to work with the Algerian government and traveling in this wonderful country. I have already visited 43 wilayas ‘provinces’ and hope to visit several more.

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