Algeria’s upper house approves troop deployment to Niger

Algeria’s upper parliamentary chamber has unanimously approved sending military units to neighbouring Niger. The decision still requires a separate vote in the lower house, the People’s National Assembly.

The Council of the Nation held an emergency session on Sunday. Algeria’s constitution allows the president to deploy troops abroad only after both parliamentary chambers approve the move by a two-thirds majority.

Possible protection of oil facilities

Algerian newspaper El Khabar reported that the units may be tasked with securing oil facilities in Niger. If approved, the mission would be Algeria’s first operation beyond its borders since the 1973 war between Israel and several Arab states.

Military agreement between neighbours

The vote followed a visit to Algeria last week by Niger’s Defence Minister General Salifou Modi. He held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army General Said Chanegriha; the two countries signed a military cooperation protocol whose details were not disclosed.

Tebboune previously said Algeria sent fighter jets to Niger in late August after an attempted coup in the capital, Niamey. The Defence Ministry said the deployment involved four aircraft: two patrols of four Sukhoi Su-30 jets that landed at Niamey airport with an air-to-air refuelling plane.

Algeria’s defence authorities described the deployment as support for Niger’s army in confronting an attempt to destabilise the country. Relations between Algeria and Niger have drawn significantly closer in recent months across political, diplomatic, military and economic areas after a period of tension.