Algeria’s upper house of parliament has unanimously approved a troop deployment to neighbouring Niger, in a move that could mark the country’s first military mission beyond its borders since the 1973 October War.
The Council of the Nation held an emergency session on Sunday to approve the deployment. Algeria’s lower house, the People’s National Assembly, is expected to hold a separate vote later.
Under Algeria’s constitution, the president can send military units abroad only after both chambers of parliament approve the decision by a two-thirds majority.
Algeria troop deployment to Niger follows defence pact
The Algerian units are expected to be tasked with securing oil facilities in Niger. The proposed mission follows a visit to Algeria last week by Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Modi.
During the visit, General Modi held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and General Said Chanegriha, chief of staff of the People’s National Army. The two countries also signed a military cooperation protocol, although its details were not made public.
Algeria’s decision comes after it sent fighter jets to Niger in late August, according to President Tebboune, who said the aircraft had helped to thwart what he described as a “coup attempt” in the capital, Niamey.
The Algerian Defence Ministry said the aircraft had been deployed at the request of Nigerien authorities to support the country’s army in confronting an attempt to destabilise Niger. It said the deployment included Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft and an air-to-air refuelling plane.
Relations between Algeria and Niger have drawn closer in recent months across political, diplomatic, military and economic spheres, following an earlier period of tension between the two neighbours.
