Nigerien group defends military cooperation with Algeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maghrebemergent
Niger’s National Coordination of the Civil-Military Project says the deployment of Algerian soldiers is a matter of cooperation, not a transfer of responsibility for Niger’s security. Its statement describes the collaboration as an equal partnership, following Algeria’s approval of sending troops, Maghreb Emergent reports.
Niger’s National Coordination of the Civil-Military Project is defending military cooperation with Algeria, saying Algerian forces will not come to provide security for the country in place of the Nigerien army. In a statement published after Algiers approved the deployment, the organisation presents the presence as a partnership, Maghreb Emergent reports.
The coordination group cites joint training in Niger, the sharing of experience, joint exercises and intelligence cooperation. It says members of Niger’s Defence and Security Forces would also travel to Algeria. The organisation, which describes itself as a link between citizens and the authorities in Niamey, says the cooperation would be between equal partners.
It justifies the choice of Algeria by pointing to its military capabilities and the roughly 900 kilometres of shared border between the two countries. The coordination group also cites the doctrine attributed to Nigerien General Salifou Mody, according to which Niamey favours strategic partnerships that respect its sovereignty. It also mentions securing the route of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline among the planned missions.
The statement follows Algeria’s approval on 25 October of a troop deployment to Madama, in northern Niger. It comes amid debate over the forces’ missions, including after the publication of a sceptical assessment of their effectiveness.
