Algeria approves troop deployment to Niger: what is their mission?

The rare measure comes as both countries strengthen security ties months after a thwarted mutiny in Niger, which has seen Algeria gift four military helicopters to Niamey. The move was approved in a closed extraordinary session of the parliament on Sunday, where 148 of the 174 lawmakers were present in the upper house and voted in favour of the deployment.

The parliament's lower house said it also voted "by an absolute majority" to deploy the military unit in Niger, though it did not provide numbers. Article 91 of the Algerian constitution stipulates that any deployment of troops abroad must be endorsed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber.

Growing military cooperation

Sunday's vote followed a visit last Wednesday by Niger's Defence Minister Salifou Modi to Algeria, where he met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the country's army chief Saïd Chengriha. According to Algerian reports, a military cooperation protocol was signed by the two sides during the visit.

Tebboune had paved the way for this step on 3 October, declaring in a televised address that his country was ready to defend Niger, accusing unnamed states of plotting against it. After providing the helicopters in August, Algeria dispatched four Su-30 fighter jets accompanied by an in-flight refuelling aircraft, to support Nigerien authorities when a coup attempt was foiled in the same month.

Oil and gas projects

Economic interests are a central driver of Algeria's move, particularly as Sonatrach expands its investments in Niger through its international subsidiary SIPEX, which manages projects in the Kafra oil field in the north of the country, around 85 kilometres from the Algerian border.

The company began drilling one of its wells in the area on 13 August, as part of a project whose oil resources are estimated to exceed 2.5 billion barrels, making it one of Sonatrach's key investments outside Algeria. Algeria's interests go beyond the direct oil sector, as Niger forms a strategic corridor for the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline, which will stretch for more than 4,000 kilometres to carry Nigerian gas to Europe via Niger and Algeria.

Historic policy shift

Observers argue that the military support goes beyond protecting oil installations and reflects a broader shift in Algeria's approach to regional crises, after decades in which the country relied on diplomacy and dialogue and remained wary of military action beyond its borders.

Relations between Algeria and Niger had been strained for months following Algeria's downing last year of a drone from Mali. The incident triggered a diplomatic row, with Niger joining fellow junta-led allies Mali and Burkina Faso in recalling its ambassador from Algiers. Algeria started work in June on the section of the pipeline that crosses its territory, and inaugurated a 40-megawatt power plant to supply Niamey and surrounding areas with electricity.