The Algerian state news agency APS has strongly reacted to a statement by EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni regarding the deployment of Algerian military units in Niger. APS claims that no official request for clarification was made by the EU to Algerian authorities. According to APS, any such approach would have been met with a categorical rejection, as it would constitute an intolerable interference in Algeria's internal affairs and sovereign choices.
APS questions the legitimacy of El Anouni's statement, citing his Franco-Moroccan background and suggesting that the declaration was carefully orchestrated. The agency asserts that El Anouni's comments were made in response to a French journalist's question, implying a coordinated effort to criticize Algeria. This incident reveals, according to APS, a relentless French campaign against Algeria that seems to know no bounds.
The agency accuses Paris of being unable to accept the geopolitical changes in the Sahel region, which have diminished France's influence. Algeria, with its geographic position, security experience, and historical ties with regional countries, remains a key player in this new landscape. APS suggests that France's attempts to use EU institutions to express its hostility towards Algeria are an indication of its waning influence in the region.
APS emphasizes that Algeria's cooperation with Niger is based on their mutual interests and not subject to external validation. The agency criticizes the EU for seemingly implying that the sovereign decisions of two African countries should be subject to external approval. This reaction highlights the strained relations between Algeria and Europe, exacerbated by French initiatives.
The agency calls on the EU to investigate the circumstances surrounding El Anouni's statement and ensure that its institutions are not used as instruments in bilateral disputes. Algeria sees no justification for explaining its regional initiatives to those who seek to politicize them. APS reaffirms Algeria's independence, sovereignty, and right to cooperate with neighboring countries without external interference.
This incident adds to the existing tensions between Algeria and France, which have been strained due to several disputes, including commercial restrictions and issues surrounding the functioning of the Association Council. APS argues that these relations require more responsibility and less external interference.
The controversy underscores the complex geopolitics of the Sahel region, where Algeria seeks to assert its influence while navigating its relationships with European powers. The situation remains a point of contention, reflecting broader regional and international dynamics.
Key points
- Algeria's state news agency APS criticizes EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni's comments on the country's military deployment in Niger.
- APS accuses Paris of "harassment" against Algeria and suggests that France is trying to instrumentalize EU institutions against Algeria.
- The incident highlights the strained relations between Algeria, France, and the EU, with implications for regional geopolitics.
