Algeria to send army units to Niger to guard oil facilities
Algerian forces will be tasked with protecting Niger's oil installations after a unanimous parliamentary vote and a new military cooperation protocol.
The Algerian legislature voted unanimously to deploy units of the People's National Army to Niger, assigning them the protection of the West African country's oil installations.
Deployments follow recent high-level visits and a new cooperation protocol
The vote in the National People's Assembly came after the visit to Algiers last Wednesday by Niger's defence minister, Salifu Modi, who was received by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and met with the Chief of Staff of the Algerian army, General Said Chengrich.
During the meetings the two sides signed a protocol on military cooperation; officials have not disclosed the text or operational details of that agreement.
The decision continues a visible thaw in relations between Algiers and Niamey after a prolonged period of tension, and follows earlier Algerian military support announced in late August 2026, when the Algerian Ministry of Defence said it was sending four combat aircraft to Niamey to support Nigerien forces against "attempts at destabilisation."
Niger has been mired in a political and security crisis for some time; at the end of August 2026 the capital experienced incidents, shootings and alleged attempted uprisings. Algerian officials have so far not released the size, timeline or rules of engagement for the troops being sent.
Observers say the deployment underlines growing cooperation between the two neighbours on security matters, particularly focused on protecting energy infrastructure that both sides view as strategically important for the region.
Photo: press material from the event
