Statement on Niger from Algerian President Tebbun

The Algerian Presidency published some excerpts from Tebbun's interview with local media outlets on Friday night.

The Algerian President described the developments in Niger as a "provocation" against his country. "Planes were sent because some of them crossed the border," Tebbun said.

'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth'

Reminding that Niger Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine visited Algeria shortly before the events and returned to his country at night, Tebbun stated that the coup attempt took place afterwards.

Tebbun said, "The situation is clear. This was a provocation against us. I will also send a plane. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Algerian Ministry of Defense announced on August 30 that 4 "Su-30" warplanes were sent to Niamey to support the Niger army, upon the request of the Niger authorities.

The Ministry had reported that the decision was taken following the developments in Niger, which it described as "an attempt to destabilize the country", and that the warplanes were accompanied by a refueling plane.

Niger's Defense Minister Salifou Mody also announced that on the night of 28-29 August, a group of soldiers tried to detain some soldiers at the air base in Niamey and open fire on strategic points in the capital.

Mody stated that the events were brought under control with the intervention of the security forces and control was gradually regained at the targeted points.

There is close cooperation between Algeria and Niger in the security and military fields. While the two countries share a long land border, Algeria considers stability in the Sahel region among the issues important to its national security.

Niger Prime Minister Zeine paid a working visit to Algeria with a high-level delegation on 26-27 August and met with President Tebbun.