Algeria Rejects France’s Request for Military Intervention in Niger

Introduction

After the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) confirmed that a date for military intervention in Niger had already been set without disclosing it, some countries are rejecting the military solution to the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazum late last month, including Algeria.

Late on Monday evening, the Algerian authorities rejected a request from France to open its airspace for a military operation in Niamey, the official Algerian radio reported.

Algeria rejects France’s request?!

Algeria’s Opposition to Military Intervention

He also reaffirmed his opposition to any foreign military intervention in Niger, south of Algiers, and prefers to use diplomatic means to restore constitutional order.

Earlier this month, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune also expressed his country’s fears of any military response that could set the entire Sahel region on fire, adding that Algeria would not use force against its neighbors.

Reason for Algeria’s Refusal

In response to this question, an informed government source explained that Algeria is concerned about such consequences as the influx of migrants into its territory.

A source who asked not to be named told Reuters: “We are against a coup, but we are against military action that will aggravate the situation in Niger and beyond in the Sahel region.”

It is not yet clear what kind of military operation Algeria had in mind, but Paris has not announced a military intervention to overthrow the military council.

Algerian-French Relations

Moreover, relations between Algeria and France, the former colonial power in the country, are going through a difficult phase due to disagreements over the security situation in the Sahel region and other regional issues, historical differences in addition to French media coverage of Algerian affairs and issues related to human rights.

This Algerian stance comes at a time when the French military presence in West Africa is becoming increasingly fragile amid a wave of coups in the Sahel since 2020.

French troops were expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso, and after the July 26 coup, anti-French sentiment erupted in the streets of Niamey.

This coincided with the strengthening of Russian influence in the region.

France had about 1,500 soldiers in Niger before the coup.

ECOWAS announced last week that it had agreed on an unspecified date for a possible military intervention if diplomatic efforts fail, in an escalation that could further destabilize the impoverished, conflict-ridden region.

Although the African Union Peace and Security Council announced today Tuesday that the Union has suspended Niger’s participation in all of its activities.