Algiers:Algeria's parliament has officially sanctioned a presidential decision to send an army unit to Niger. This development comes after the lower house endorsed the move, following its unanimous approval by the upper chamber.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the decision was initially submitted by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and received its first nod from the Council of the Nation during an emergency session. Subsequently, the People's National Assembly also approved the deployment.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, representing President Tebboune, addressed a closed session of the Council of the Nation, explaining the rationale and objectives behind the deployment. This decision is rooted in safeguarding energy interests and upholding a bilateral agreement between Algeria and Niger.
The Council of the Nation's vote saw full support from all 148 participating members, requiring at least 116 votes out of 174 seats as per Article 91, paragraph two, of the Constitution. The National People's Assembly also confirmed the approval "by an absolute majority of those present," finalizing the constitutional procedures necessary for the deployment of Algerian army units abroad.
While the assembly's statement did not disclose the exact number of members voting, the National People's Assembly comprises 407 members. Article 91 of Algeria's Constitution permits the president to deploy army units abroad with the backing of two-thirds of each parliamentary chamber.
The mission involves dispatching an army detachment to safeguard oil projects managed by the state energy company Sonatrach in Niger, following a request from Niamey. The term 'detachment' implies a limited mission scope, though details regarding the force size or deployment date remain undisclosed.
Sonatrach operates in Niger via its subsidiary SIPEX, which oversees oil investments in the northern region under agreements with Nigerien authorities. This deployment marks Algeria's first ground troop mission abroad since its participation in the October 1973 war against Israel.
The initiative follows increasing military collaboration between Algeria and Niger, highlighted by a military cooperation protocol signed last week during a visit from Nigerien Defense Minister Salifou Modi to Algeria. In August, Algeria provided helicopters and military equipment to Niger, followed by the dispatch of four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and an aerial refueling aircraft to Niamey.