Oil stakes drive Algeria's first overseas army move in five decades

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has authorized the deployment of military forces to neighboring Niger. The order was issued on Monday following an emergency parliamentary session on Sunday where both chambers voted to approve the mission.

The presidency stated that Niger requested the military assistance. If executed, this marks the first time Algerian soldiers have operated overseas since 1973. In that year, Algiers sent troops to support Egypt during the Arab-Israeli war.

Senator Belkacem Boulghiti clarified the scope of the mission to reporters after the vote. He stated the soldiers would protect economic infrastructure, specifically Algerian oil facilities in Niger. Boulghiti emphasized that Algeria was not sending troops to wage war but to address changing security conditions in the Sahel region.

The deployment operates under a 2020 constitutional reform. This amendment allows the president to authorize overseas military operations with the approval of at least two-thirds of legislators in each parliamentary chamber. The presidency confirmed the decision was made under these specific constitutional provisions.

Algeria recently increased its military presence in the region. In August, the country sent fighter jets and support aircraft to Niger. Algerian officials described this earlier move as a response to an attempt to destabilize the Nigerien military government.

The mission supports the interests of Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned energy company. Sonatrach is collaborating with Niger on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. This project would transport natural gas from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria for export to European markets.

The three Sahel nations, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, face persistent attacks from armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL. All are led by military rulers who formed the Alliance of Sahel States after seizing power in coups. Relations between Algiers and Niamey improved after General Abdourahamane Tiani took power in a 2023 coup. Tensions had previously spiked in April of last year when Algerian forces shot down a Malian drone, leading the alliance to recall their ambassadors.