Algeria Senate Approves Troop Deployment to Niger

Algeria’s upper house of parliament has approved a proposal to deploy troops to neighbouring Niger to protect energy facilities, a senator said on Sunday.

The senator, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said 148 of the 174 members of the upper house voted in favour of the proposal.

Algeria’s lower house is expected to vote on the measure later on Sunday.

The proposed deployment comes as Algeria and Niger strengthen security cooperation after working to repair strained relations earlier this year and following a thwarted mutiny in Niger in August.

The two countries share a 960-kilometre border and have agreed to increase cooperation against jihadist attacks, cross-border crime and trafficking.

The move also follows Algeria’s donation of four military helicopters to Niger, which continues to face attacks by armed groups, including in areas close to its border with Algeria.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had earlier indicated that his country could become directly involved militarily in Niger.

Speaking on October 3, Tebboune pledged Algeria’s support for Niger and said the country would protect its interests and agreements with Niamey, particularly in the oil and mining sectors.

“We will protect Niger no matter what,” he said in a televised address. 

“There are countries, which I will not name, that have conspired against (Niger). We stand by its side.”

“Today, we have interests,” Tebboune then said. “We have reached agreements (with Niger) in the oil, mining and other sectors, and some are seeking to destroy all of this overnight,” he added. 

Algeria also inaugurated a 40-megawatt power plant in June to supply electricity to Niamey and surrounding areas.

Relations between Algiers and Niamey had deteriorated after Algeria shot down a drone from neighbouring Mali last year, triggering a diplomatic dispute.

Niger subsequently joined Mali and Burkina Faso, both ruled by military governments, in recalling its ambassador from Algeria.

Niger has been governed by General Abdourahamane Tiani since a July 2023 coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains in detention.