Algeria/Niger: Tebboune strengthens military ties in Sahel

Beneath the rhetoric of regional solidarity voiced by Algiers during the reception of the Nigerien Defence Minister, contradictions in Algeria’s Sahel policy raise questions about the true extent of its commitment to regional stability.

The meeting between President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the Nigerien Defence Minister in Algiers on Tuesday, October 13, takes place against a backdrop of shifting alliances in the Sahel, marked by tensions between Algeria and several countries in the region.

While presented as a testament to the strength of bilateral ties, the meeting also highlights the limitations of a diplomatic approach that champions non-interference while simultaneously seeking to maintain strategic influence over its southern neighbours.

Algiers frequently portrays itself as a bulwark against the destabilisation of the Sahel, citing respect for sovereignty, the inviolability of borders, and the rejection of external military interventions.

Yet, this stance alone is insufficient to establish its role as a regional guarantor.

In a region grappling with the spread of armed groups, cross-border trafficking, and weakening institutions, a regional power’s credibility is measured less by its pronouncements than by tangible
results.

However, persistent crises in Mali and Niger – alongside coordination challenges among Sahara-bordering states – call for a closer examination of the outcomes of Algerian diplomacy.

Relations with Bamako exemplify these ambiguities. Tensions sparked by the Algerian military’s destruction of a Malian drone in April 2025 – following a border incident disputed by both sides – led to a severe deterioration in bilateral relations.

The mutual recall of ambassadors and the exchange of accusations exposed the fragility of a partnership that had long been touted as essential to regional security.

This episode raises a fundamental question: how can Algiers claim a central role in stabilizing the
Sahel when its own disputes with a directly concerned neighbour complicate security cooperation?

The question also arises in light of shifting regional alliances.

The creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – bringing together Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – reflects these countries’ desire to regain control over their strategic choices. In this new landscape, Algeria cannot lay claim to a privileged role without taking into account the aspirations of its partners.

MK/AK/Sf/fss/as/APA