By TheWorldNews7 News Desk
Algeria's parliament has approved a resolution to deploy troops to Niger, marking the first foreign military deployment by the country in over five decades. This move represents the first time Algerian soldiers will be stationed abroad since 1973, when they were sent to support Egypt during the Arab-Israeli War.
Mission to Protect Strategic Interests
While authorities have not specified the exact number of soldiers or the precise locations for deployment, the mission's primary objective has been clarified. Senator Belkacem Boulghiti stated that the troops are being sent to protect Algeria’s economic and strategic interests, with a specific focus on securing oil facilities in Niger.
Boulghiti emphasized that the deployment is not intended to wage war in Niger, but rather to secure critical economic infrastructure. He described the decision as an adaptation of Algerian military doctrine to address evolving challenges within the Sahel region.
Securing the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline
The decision is closely linked to significant energy interests in the region. Algeria's state-owned energy giant, Sonatrach, is involved in the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project. This massive infrastructure is designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria through Niger and into Algeria for export to European markets.
The Sahel region, which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has faced significant instability due to violent extremism linked to groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State. These nations have also experienced recent coups and are struggling with security challenges across the territory.
Thawing Diplomatic Relations
The parliamentary approval signals a warming of relations between Algiers and Niamey. Following a period of diplomatic tension, Algeria expressed support for Niger in August after a mutiny against the military junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani. This support included the dispatch of a delegation, four fighter jets, and a military transport aircraft to Niger.
Relations between the two nations had reached a historic low last year when the Alliance of Sahel States—comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—recalled their ambassadors from Algeria. This diplomatic rift followed a border incident involving a Malian drone and Algeria's condemnation of the 2023 coup in Niger.
