Military Cooperation Protocol Signed by Algeria and Niger
The Algerian Ministry of Defense confirmed the signing of a military cooperation protocol with Niger in Algiers. The agreement was formally concluded by the Algerian Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Said Chengriha, and Niger's Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Salifou Modi, who led a military delegation to the capital. Discussions centered on reinforcing bilateral military and security cooperation, as well as addressing shared challenges faced by both nations. General Chengriha reiterated the Algerian National Popular Army's readiness to consider any Nigerien proposals to strengthen military and security collaboration, while General Modi praised the existing coordination between their respective armies across various fields. The specific clauses of the protocol were not publicly disclosed following its signing.
This development follows a period of renewed engagement between Algeria and Niger. Earlier this year, full diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored. In February, an agreement was reached to resume work on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project, a significant initiative designed to transport Nigerien gas to Europe via Algeria. Furthermore, Algeria demonstrated its commitment to regional stability in August by deploying four Su-30 fighter jets, alongside transport and refueling aircraft, to support Niamey after a failed military mutiny at an airbase in the capital, an action highlighted as a key demonstration of practical cooperation.
The signing of this protocol marks a strategic repositioning for Algeria, solidifying its role as a security guarantor and an influential actor in the Sahel region. This move underscores Algeria's commitment to fostering stability and leveraging its military capabilities to address regional security concerns. Projections indicate that Algeria could consolidate its status as a regional security power, thereby enhancing its political influence and becoming an indispensable interlocutor for Europe, particularly given the diminished European presence on the ground in the Sahel.
