High-Level Officials Convene on Niger Troop Decision

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune presided over a significant coordination meeting on Wednesday, involving top military officials and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, according to a statement from the Algerian Presidency. This meeting occurred two days after President Tebboune’s decision to dispatch Algerian army units to Niger, a move intended to safeguard the shared economic interests between the two nations.

Attendees at the high-level session included General Saïd Chengriha, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army, alongside Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. Also present were General Mustapha Ismaili, Commander of the Land Forces; General Zoubir Gouila, Commander of the Air Forces; General Hamid Fakan, Head of the Employment and Preparation Department for the Army Staff; and Abdelaziz Moujahed, Director-General of the National Institute for Comprehensive Strategic Studies.

The decision to deploy units of the People's National Army to Niger was announced by President Tebboune on Monday, following a request from Nigerien authorities. The Algerian Presidency affirmed that this decision was made in accordance with constitutional provisions and received approval from both chambers of Parliament during closed sessions held on Sunday. Parliamentary discussions on the military deployment highlighted its role within the framework of security cooperation between Algeria and Niger, particularly concerning the protection of interests related to energy projects.