Niger and Algeria Respond to EU Comments on Military Deployment

The Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, met with Olaï Voionmaa, the chargé d'affaires of the European Union delegation to Niger, on November 9. The meeting came amid controversy over Algeria's deployment of military units to Niger. The EU had requested clarification on the deployment, sparking reactions from Niamey and Algiers. The meeting at the Prime Minister's office did not result in an official statement.

The EU's request for clarification was made by Anouar El Anouni, the EU's spokesperson for foreign affairs, during a press conference in Brussels on October 30. He stated that the EU was following the situation closely and sought clarification on the scope, objective, and basis of the deployment. The EU supports efforts contributing to peace, stability, and security in the Sahel, while emphasizing the importance of transparency and proportionality in security measures.

The deployment of Algerian military units to Niger was announced by the Algerian presidency on October 26. The decision was made at the request of Nigerien authorities to protect common Algerian-Nigerien economic and energy interests. The Algerian parliament approved the deployment, with the Conseil de la nation voting 148-0. This marks the first official deployment of Algerian troops abroad since 1973.

The Algerian government has stated that it received no request for clarification from the EU regarding the deployment. According to sources cited by the Algerian Presse Service, there was no diplomatic exchange or official solicitation from the EU. The agency suggested that any such request would have been rejected as interference in Algeria's sovereign decisions.

In Niger, the society civil has expressed concerns over the EU's sudden interest in the country's affairs. Rhamar Ilatoufegh, a member of the coordination of the society civil d'Arlit, questioned why the EU had not sought accountability from France for its decades-long uranium exploitation in Niger and the resulting environmental damage.

The controversy surrounding the EU's comments and the military deployment has strained relations between Niger and the EU. In July 2023, Niger denounced agreements with the EU, and the EU delegation in Niamey is now led by a chargé d'affaires rather than an ambassador. The incident has highlighted the complex relationships between Niger, Algeria, and the EU.

The situation remains uncertain, with questions about whether the EU will provide further clarification on its comments and whether Nigerien authorities will make an official statement on the meeting between the Prime Minister and the EU envoy. Both Niamey and Algiers have emphasized the importance of sovereignty in choosing security partners.

Key points

• The EU's request for clarification on Algeria's military deployment to Niger sparked reactions from both countries.
• The deployment aims to protect common Algerian-Nigerien economic and energy interests.
• Relations between Niger and the EU have been strained since July 2023.