Algeria’s upper house of parliament has unanimously approved sending military units to neighbouring Niger. The Council of the Nation voted at an emergency session on Sunday, and the lower house, the People’s National Assembly, was due to hold its own separate session later that evening, according to local press reports.
Under Algeria’s constitution, the president may send troops abroad only if both chambers of parliament approve the move by a two-thirds majority. If the deployment goes ahead, it would be the first mission beyond Algeria’s borders since the 1973 conflict between Israel and several Arab states, which Arabs call the October War and Israelis call the Yom Kippur War.
Oil facilities expected to be guarded by Algerian units
The Algerian forces are expected to be assigned to protect oil facilities in Niger. No further details about the mission’s scope have been published in the material available.
The vote followed a visit to Algeria last week by Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Modi. He held talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, General Said Chanegriha.
Jet deployment and military protocol signed in Algiers
During the visit, the two sides signed a military cooperation protocol, but its details have not been made public. Earlier this month, Tebboune confirmed that Algeria had sent fighter jets to Niger in late August to help thwart a “coup attempt” that shook the capital, Niamey.
The Algerian Ministry of Defence had earlier said it sent four jets after the unrest. It said two patrols of four Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft landed at Niamey airport, accompanied by an air-to-air refuelling plane. On August 30, the ministry said the warplanes were deployed at Niger’s request to support its army against an attempt to destabilise the country.
Relations between the two countries have grown markedly closer over recent months across political, diplomatic, military and economic channels, after a period of tension.
