Algeria's Parliament Approves Troop Deployment to Niger, Its First Foreign Deployment Since 1973
ALGIERS — Algeria's parliament on Sunday approved a resolution authorising the deployment of army units to Niger, in what would mark Algeria's first foreign troop deployment since it sent forces to support Egypt in the 1973 war, according to a parliamentary statement reported by Reuters.
Lawmakers unanimously backed sending National Army units to Madama in northern Niger, near the Libyan border, at the site of a former French base used during Operation Barkhane. No troops have been officially deployed yet, according to a Niger security source. Niger presidential chief of staff General Bacharou Ibro Amadou has been visiting the Kawar area of the Agadez region since October 19, travelling to Madama for talks with local military commanders before meeting military and traditional authorities in Dirkou on plans for the base.
The move highlights a rapid improvement in ties between Algiers and Niamey after a period of strain. Algeria opposed the 2023 coup that brought Niger's current military leaders to power, and relations worsened last year when Niger recalled its ambassador from Algiers after Algeria shot down a Malian drone near their border. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are all ruled by military leaders who seized power in coups and later formed the Alliance of Sahel States.
Niger, like other countries in West Africa's Sahel region, is battling insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, and Algeria — which shares a border with Niger — has traditionally regarded stability in the Sahel-Sahara as a key regional security priority. Ties have warmed this year: Niger President Abdourahamane Tiani visited Algiers in February, and Niger Defence Minister Salifou Mody travelled there on October 20 with a delegation of defence experts for talks on security cooperation.
Algeria has also deepened its economic interests in Niger. State energy company Sonatrach is working with Niger and Nigeria on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, intended to create a new export corridor for African gas to international markets, particularly Europe. Sonatrach said in 2022 that it had signed a production-sharing agreement with Niger's petroleum ministry for the Kafra region, where two exploration wells held proven reserves of 168 million barrels and 100 million barrels respectively.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 阿尔及利亚国民议会议事厅（资料图）。图：Magharebia，CC BY 2.0，经维基共享资源。 / Chamber of Algeria's National People's Assembly (file photo). Photo: Magharebia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
