Algeria lays out Security Council program prioritizing Gaza briefings, counterterrorism in Africa and Libya sanctions review

Algerian Ambassador Ammar Ben Grama, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, opened a press briefing saying Algeria is assuming the Security Council presidency for January and set out a program of work focused on Gaza, counterterrorism in Africa and several regional situations.

Algeria announced a briefing on attacks on hospitals in Gaza scheduled for the next morning; a ministerial-level open debate on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expected to brief; and a high-level event on counterterrorism in Africa to be chaired by Algeria’s foreign minister, Ahmed Ataf, on Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. "We will continue to highlight the suffering of Palestine, the humanitarian crisis that is catastrophic in Gaza," Ben Grama said, calling for an "immediate and conditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza."

Why it matters: the program centers on issues that members and many U.N. observers have said pose immediate humanitarian and security risks — including civilian harm in Gaza, instability in Libya, and militant activity across parts of Africa. Algeria signaled it will press the council to address those crises through briefings, debates and a dedicated counterterrorism event.

In outlining the agenda, Ben Grama congratulated five newly elected nonpermanent members — Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia — and thanked the outgoing members Ecuador,…