Algerian Ministry of Defense announced the dismissal of Head of Intelligence, General Wasini Bouazza, and appointed General Abdelghani Rachdi as Acting Director.
This comes days after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in his capacity as Defense Minister, appointed Rachdi as Bouazza’s deputy.
Little is known about the new acting director, other than that he ran the High Institute for Security.
He is expected to assume position during Algerian Independence Day celebrations in July, which usually represents an occasion to promote and appoint senior military officers to higher positions.
Bouazza succeeded Major General Bachir Tartag who was convicted by the military judiciary last September of conspiracy against the state and the army. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Observers expect this change in the country's most important security institution and the "backbone of the system" to reflect a new, less severe method in dealing with freedom issues.
Dozens of Algerian activists, politicians, and journalists are imprisoned, based on reports prepared by the Internal Security during Bouazza commanding period.
In a statement issued by the Defense Ministry, Acting Chief of Staff of the Army, Major-General Saeed Shanqriha, asked internal security officers to obey orders and implement instructions, as a manifestation of the military rules and guidelines in force and the laws of the Republic.
Shanqriha issued instructions and directives for the Directorate of the Internal Security to continue efforts to serve Algeria and protect its higher interests. He urged them to help the new Chief perform his duties, through their full and complete commitment and cooperation to carry out the tasks assigned to them.