Algeria approves troop deployment to Madama, Niger
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Yabiladi
The two chambers of Algeria’s Parliament approved the deployment of Algerian troops to Niger at the request of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The soldiers could be stationed at Madama, in northern Niger, near the Libyan border, according to Yabiladi, which cited French sources.
Both chambers of Algeria’s Parliament approved President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s decision on Sunday to deploy troops to Niger, according to Yabiladi. French sources cited by the outlet said the Algerian army was expected to set up at Madama, a former French outpost in northern Niger, near the Libyan border.
Algerian media have justified the deployment on the grounds that it is necessary to protect Sonatrach International’s investments in Niger. Sonatrach International is the international arm of Algeria’s state-owned oil company. Algiers and Niamey also signed a military cooperation agreement this week, while Algeria delivered four military helicopters to the Nigerien army in August, according to Yabiladi.
The parliamentary authorisation comes after Algeria’s Senate approved sending troops to Niger. It follows talks on 15 October between Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Salifou Modi, Niger’s Defence Minister, on Algerian-Nigerien military cooperation.
