|
2026-10-31 Africa North
|
|
For uranium: troops from the former colony occupy French military bases
|
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
by Leonid Tsukanov
[Regnum] Algeria is rapidly increasing its influence in Niger. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently publicly promised to "defend its neighbor at all costs" from external attacks and even ordered the deployment of an auxiliary contingent on its territory. This marked the first time Algerian troops have been deployed abroad in half a century.
The move into Niger may seem like a spontaneous decision, but in reality, it was carefully calculated by Algeria. This decision combines both the country's pragmatic economic interests and a desire to thoroughly annoy its former metropolis, France.
DIFFICULT NEIGHBORHOOD
Relations between Algeria and Niger are far from warm. In 2025, the countries were on the brink of open confrontation, especially after Algerian forces shot down a drone from Mali (at the time Niger's main ally) in their airspace, accusing the fledgling regime of attempting to attack a local power plant.
As a sign of dissatisfaction, Niger—along with Mali and Burkina Faso—recalled its ambassador from Algeria and even threatened to "expel" all foreign businesses. Things reached the point where some Nigerien military officials began searching the Algerian leadership for "national traitors" plotting against France in Africa.
Given the historically complex relations between Algeria and Paris, such insinuations were perceived as a terrible insult and almost led to a complete breakdown in relations.
However, by the spring of 2026, the two countries had found common ground and intensified trade and economic cooperation. In a short period of time, they were able to conclude cooperation agreements in energy, healthcare, higher education, and industry. Previous disagreements were attributed to "neocolonial stereotypes" imposed by the French and their "information agents."
Subsequently, Niamey's official trust in its neighbor increased exponentially in August 2026. During the anti-government coup, the Algerian Ministry of Defense proactively transferred four helicopters (two Mi-24V and two Mi-171) to Niger authorities, and also deployed several fighter jets to the country for the joint fight against terrorism.
The cooperation didn't end there. On October 21, Algeria and Niger signed a military cooperation protocol, which solidified their commitment to jointly ensure regional security. Just a few days later, on October 26, Algerian authorities agreed to send a full-fledged military contingent to Niger. It is to be deployed near key oil and gas facilities and ensure their "safe and uninterrupted operation."
A RESOURCE-RICH NEIGHBOR
Of course, the interest in ensuring Niger's security is not motivated by a sense of pan-African solidarity. Algeria is investing heavily in its neighbor's economy, including actively developing the local oil market. SIPEX (a subsidiary of the Algerian conglomerate Sonatrach) manages projects at the Kafra oil field, 85 km from the Algerian border.
In mid-August—several weeks before the failed coup—Algerian oil workers began drilling a new well in the area. Its reserves, according to preliminary estimates, exceed 2.5 billion barrels, making the "kafir assets" among the most valuable in Sonatrach's portfolio.
Furthermore, Niger remains an important transit corridor for the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project, which is currently under construction and will deliver energy resources to Europe via Algeria. The African country's authorities are interested in the stable development of its infrastructure and, ultimately, the stable flow of raw materials.
Finally, Algeria has set its sights on Niger's "uranium treasure trove"—rich ore deposits previously controlled by the French that fueled the Fifth Republic's nuclear sector. Now, with the French gone, Algeria has the chance to use these reserves as fuel for nuclear power plants, which the country's authorities have been increasingly considering building.
Tebboune's government is also lobbying for a project to transit uranium to Mediterranean ports through Algerian territory, which would allow Niger to access new markets and Algeria to strengthen its status as an energy hub in North Africa.
It is therefore not surprising that the country is prepared to participate in ensuring the security of a less stable, but resource-rich neighbor, including with the help of its own army.
TO SPITE THE FRENCH
However, alongside Algeria's economic interests, there's also a desire to achieve historical justice, as envisioned by the Tebboune government. Guided by this idea, the country is rapidly squeezing France (its former metropolis) out of North Africa's political and economic space, and is also "nullifying" Paris's legacy in sub-Saharan Africa.
It's no coincidence that the most likely location for the Algerian contingent is the Madama region in northern Niger, near the Libyan border: French units were previously stationed there. Their presence has long been considered by the local population a symbol of colonial dependence on Europe, and the hypothetical presence of an African contingent here could very well send a political signal.
Moreover, by entrenching itself in the Libyan-Nigerian border region, the Algerian army could exert pressure both on Tripoli, where EU emissaries regularly visit, and on the alternative capital of Tobruk, where French businessmen and politicians have recently become frequent visitors. This could prevent the Élysée Palace from playing both sides of the aisle, potentially preparing a foothold against anti-French forces in Africa.
True, such a combination carries certain risks for Algeria itself. By closing Niger off from Paris's tactical allies, Tebboune's government itself risks becoming a target for hybrid attacks. This is especially true given that, in its pursuit of influence in Africa, Algeria is increasingly paying less attention to its internal crises and growing tensions between various elite groups. And also given the fact that not everyone in Niamey is happy to play a card in their neighbor's geopolitical deck.
# id) ?>
|
Posted by badanov 2026-10-31 00:00||
E-Mail||
Front Page|| ||Comments
[10 views ]
Top
|
|
03:58 chris
03:57 chris
03:54 chris
03:52 chris
03:52 chris
03:49 chris
03:47 chris
02:39 Frank G
02:35 Frank G
02:10 SteveS
02:10 Frank G
02:10 Seeking Cure For Ignorance
01:53 Frank G
01:49 DarthVader
00:51 Oregon Dave
Merry-Go-Blog
|
