Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered army units to deploy to neighbouring Niger to protect shared economic and energy interests.
The directive was reported by the Reuters news agency, citing an official statement released by the Algerian presidential administration.
Lawmakers in the Algerian parliament approved a resolution on Sunday, October 25, authorising the deployment of troops into Niger. Algerian authorities did not provide details regarding when the military units will depart, where they will be positioned, or how many soldiers will participate in the operation.
Cross-border energy interests
The Algerian presidential administration said the decision was taken specifically to ensure the protection of shared economic and energy interests. Algeria and Niger share a border spanning more than 950 kilometres across the central Sahara desert, connecting southern Algerian territory with northern Niger.
The two neighbouring countries have previously pursued joint energy initiatives, including the proposed Trans-Saharan gas pipeline designed to transport natural gas from West Africa through Niger and Algeria to European markets. Algeria is Africa's largest country by land area, and its southern frontier with the Sahel region represents a critical zone for regional energy infrastructure.
Tebboune, who has served as president of Algeria since December 2019, acts as supreme commander of the nation's armed forces. Algeria historically maintained a strict policy barring its military from operating outside national borders, but constitutional revisions adopted in 2020 established legal procedures allowing troop deployments abroad following formal approval by the national parliament.
Direct flights to Moscow
In a separate announcement regarding Algerian international ties, direct commercial flights between Russia and Algeria are scheduled to resume in early 2027. Russian Ambassador Alexey Solomatin previously said the passenger flights would restart immediately after the completion of all necessary organizational procedures, which include formalising the presence of representatives of Algerian airline Air Algerie in Moscow.
