Algeria Votes to Send Troops to Niger

NIGER · BREAKING

Published Monday, 26 October, 12:39 p.m. ET · Source: Algerian parliament, Niger defence ministry, Algerian and Nigerien officials

Algeria’s parliament has approved sending soldiers to Niger, the first approved deployment of soldiers abroad in more than 50 years. The upper house voted on Sunday, 148 of 174 senators in favour in a closed-door session, according to a senator quoted by AFP, and the lower house approved it by an absolute majority without publishing a count.

The constitution asks for two-thirds of each chamber, so the missing lower-house number is an open question.The stated aim is to protect energy installations, above all oil sites linked to Sonatrach, Algeria’s state oil and gas company.Neither country has said how many soldiers will go or when.

A Deal Signed Days Earlier

On 21 October Niger’s defence minister, General Salifou Mody, flew to Algiers, where he met President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and army chief General Saïd Chengriha. The two sides signed a military cooperation protocol that Niger’s government called a new framework for its armies, but neither side has released the text.

Chengriha said Algeria was ready to look at Niger’s proposals for deeper cooperation, and Mody welcomed what he called multidimensional coordination between the two armed forces.

Why Now

Niger has been unstable since the army took power in 2023, and in late August mutinous soldiers reportedly tried to seize sites in the capital, Niamey, including an air base, before loyal troops regained control. On 30 August Algeria sent four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, a transport plane and a refuelling tanker to Niamey at Niger’s request; four helicopters had already been delivered on 9 August.

President Tebboune had already said on 3 October that “we will protect Niger whatever it takes.” Algeria also has a stake in the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which is meant to carry Nigerian gas through Niger toward Europe, and the two countries share a desert border of about 960 kilometres.

What Algerians Say

Algeria’s 2020 constitution allows troops abroad only with the votes of two-thirds of the members of each chamber (Article 91), which is why the missing lower-house count matters. Critics ask what the mission is, how long it lasts and what it costs, and we have not found an official answer on the cost or the length.

What It Means for US Readers

The Sahel, the belt of countries south of the Sahara, has become one of the world’s main centres of jihadist violence, and Western forces have left much of it. A larger Algerian role in Niger shifts the balance toward regional powers and could affect gas supply plans for Europe and the fight against armed groups.

What We Do Not Know

We do not know the size of the force, the start date, whether it will fight armed groups or only guard sites, or how Niger’s military government will describe its role. We will update this story as the details come out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Algeria sending troops to Niger?

Yes, parliament approved it. Algeria’s upper house voted 148 of 174 in favour in a closed session on Sunday, and the lower house approved it by an absolute majority. The size and date have not been announced.

Why is Algeria sending troops?

The stated aim is to protect energy installations, especially oil sites linked to Sonatrach. Algeria also backs Niger’s stability and a pipeline project that would cross it.

Is this the first Algerian deployment abroad?

It is the first parliament-approved deployment abroad since Algeria sent forces to support Egypt in the 1973 war with Israel.

Sources: Algerian parliament · Niger Ministry of Defence · Algerian presidency and army · statements by Algerian and Nigerien officials.

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This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief