Algeria's steps to provide military support to Niger and Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine's contacts in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi brought the Niamey administration's regional policies back to the agenda.
Oumarou Cissé Boulkassoum, a Nigerian doctoral candidate at Nizhni Novgorod State University in Russia, Dr. from the Department of African Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Letters, Istanbul University. Halil Kaya and Nigerian doctoral candidate Boulama Issa Lamido Hamadou Moumouni from the Department of International Relations at Bursa Technical University evaluated the reasons and regional effects of Niger's rapprochement with Algeria and Libya to the AA correspondent.
Niger follows a balance policy in Libya
Boulkassoum stated that Niger's latest diplomatic initiatives are a continuation of the foreign policy change that started after the military coup on July 26, 2023, and said that the country has reorganized its relations with its traditional partners and turned to new collaborations.
Stating that Algeria is an important partner for Niger due to its experience in the fight against terrorism and its economic capacity, Boulkassoum stated that the contacts with Haftar forces in Libya are for the purpose of protecting border security.
Boulkassoum reminded that Haftar's forces are influential in the east of Libya and the internationally recognized National Unity Government is influential in the west, and said, "Niger has to negotiate with both the east and west of Libya. The main thing for our country is to secure its territorial integrity." he said.
Arguing that Niger's rapprochement with Algeria could contribute to the solution of diplomatic problems between Mali and Algeria, Boulkassoum noted that the Niamey administration could play a mediator role between the two countries.
Boulkassoum added that Algeria's strong military relations with Russia and its Mediterranean ports could create new security and logistics opportunities for Niger and other Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members.
Niger-Algeria rapprochement may affect the balances within the AES
Kaya, from the Department of African Languages and Cultures at Istanbul University Faculty of Letters, also pointed out that Niger's increased military cooperation with Algeria is a part of its sovereignty-centered foreign policy developed against France's influence in the region.
Pointing out that Algeria's steps towards providing military support to Niger differ from the country's traditional foreign policy approach, Kaya emphasized that this rapprochement could create a new basis for cooperation between North Africa and the Sahel.
Kaya said, "I think this can be read as a new North Africa-Sahel cooperation through Algeria-Niger. But I think it cannot be read as a whole in the Algeria-Sahel States Alliance." he said.
Referring to the tensions between Algeria and Mali, Kaya stated that the relations developed by Niger with Algeria may not be welcomed in the same way by other members of the AES.
Stating that the Trans-Saharan Natural Gas Pipeline Project, which aims to transport Nigerian natural gas to Algeria via Niger, also plays an important role in rapprochement, Kaya said that economic interests may affect regional competition.
Kaya emphasized that Niger's contacts with the administration in the east of Libya may aim to reduce possible border tensions, and stated that he does not expect the current developments to turn into a direct regional war.
Niger aims to improve its access to the Mediterranean via Algeria
Moumouni, a Nigerian doctoral candidate from the Department of International Relations at Bursa Technical University, also stated that Niger's rapprochement with Algeria is not limited to military security only, but also includes economic and logistical goals.
Reminding that landlocked Niger is dependent on the ports of neighboring countries for foreign trade, Moumouni emphasized that the border problems with Benin make alternative routes that can access the Mediterranean via Algeria important.
Pointing out that benefiting from Algeria's experience in the fight against terrorism can strengthen Niger's security capacity, Moumouni stated that the Trans-Saharan Natural Gas Pipeline Project can also provide transit revenues and employment opportunities to the country.
Referring to the importance of Niger maintaining balanced relations between the rival parties in Libya, Moumouni said, "Niger has no interest in siding with either side in Libya today. It needs to maintain balanced diplomatic relations with both sides." made his assessment.
Moumouni noted that the relations developed by Niger with Algeria could offer AES countries new opportunities in the economic and security fields, and added that the Niamey administration could play a role in strengthening regional cooperation in this process.
