Relations Between Algeria and Niger Revived
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received a delegation led by Niger’s Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, the official Algerian news agency reported. According to a press release on the Algerian Presidency’s website, this delegation was sent to Algeria by the President of the Nigerian National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (CNSP), General Abdelrahmane Tchiani, and carried an important message.
Following the meeting, Algeria and Niger agreed to revive bilateral relations based on “good neighborliness, brotherhood and friendship.” Niger Prime Minister Zeine stated that relations between Algeria and Niger were negatively affected by the military coup against former Niger President Mohamed Bazum on July 26, 2023. Zeine said, “The relations damaged as a result of these events needed to be revived. Niger sees “Algeria as a brother, neighbor and friendly country and we expected it to be by our side from the first hours in the face of the threat of attack. Therefore, we felt the absence of this brother.”
“By removing the dark spots between the two countries, we have reaffirmed our commitment to the sovereignty of both countries,” the Niger Prime Minister added. Following the overthrow of former President Mohamed Bazum, Algeria called for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. It also opposed the option of military intervention in Niger proposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Last year, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf visited Nigeria, Benin and Ghana and called on their leaders to “refrain from using force against Niger.” Algerian state radio reported that on the day of the military coup in Niger, Algeria had refused to allow French warplanes to use its airspace for a possible military operation against Niger.
After the military government led by General Abdurrahmane Tchiani seized power on July 26, 2023, it was announced in August 2023 that Bazum would be tried for “treason”, “financing terrorism” and “conspiracy against the state”. Bazum and his wife Hadiza have been under house arrest since July 26, 2023.
