Algeria to send soldiers to Niger to protect economic interests
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Club of Mozambique
Algeria’s Parliament has authorised the deployment of soldiers from Algeria to Madama, in northern Niger, to protect Algerian energy and economic interests, according to the presidency. It would be the first deployment of Algerian troops abroad since their support for Egypt during the 1973 war, Reuters reports.
Algeria’s Parliament authorised on Sunday the deployment of army units to Madama, in northern Niger, to protect Algeria’s energy and economic interests. The decision, announced by the Algerian presidency on Monday, paves the way for the first deployment of Algerian troops abroad since they were sent to support Egypt during the 1973 war, Reuters reports.
Madama is near the Libyan border. Algeria has not specified the date of the deployment or the number of soldiers involved. Its economic interests in Niger are mainly linked to energy: Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil company, is working with Niger and Nigeria on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, intended to transport African gas to international markets, particularly European ones.
Niger has been ruled by the military since the July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, which Algeria opposed. Relations between Algiers and Niamey deteriorated the following year after Niger’s ambassador was recalled following Algeria’s destruction of a Malian drone near their border. The Sahelian country is also facing armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
The parliamentary authorisation follows Algeria’s decision to send units to Niger to protect energy facilities (approval for the deployment of troops).
