Tebboune Explains Su-30 Deployment, Nigerien Stability Pledge

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has publicly detailed Algeria's decision to deploy four Sukhoi Su-30 combat jets and a refueling aircraft to Niger following a coup attempt in late August. During a recent interview, President Tebboune clarified that the Minister of National Defense announced the dispatch of the aircraft on August 30, just days after the coup attempt occurred on the night of August 28-29. This revelation provides specific operational context to Algeria's swift response in the region.

President Tebboune indicated that Algeria perceived the attempted putsch as a provocation, occurring immediately after Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine's visit to Algeria. He asserted that Algeria's actions were a clear message, stating, "We sent planes because some do not want to know their limits… This means that we protect Niger whatever happens." President Tebboune emphasized that the Algerian Constitution permits the army to operate abroad under specific conditions, affirming that Algeria's defense doctrine remains unchanged. He linked Sahel stability to development, noting that chaos and terrorism thrive on poverty and institutional weakness.

The President also highlighted the extensive shared interests and agreements between Algeria and Niger that were jeopardized by the attempted regime change. These include collaborations in oil, mining, and various development initiatives, such as the construction of a 40-megawatt power plant in Niamey. Furthermore, both nations are engaged in implementing the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, designed to transport gas from Nigeria to Europe via Niger and Algeria, alongside the exploitation of the Kafra oil field in northern Niger. President Tebboune underscored Algeria's resolve to defend its allies and these critical common interests with tangible actions.