Algeria officially announces the sending of army units to Niger... and reveals the reason

The Algerian presidency announced, on Monday, the sending of army units to Niger, in a step that is the first of its kind since a similar measure during the October War of 1973, in which Egypt and Syria entered a military confrontation against Israel. The Presidency published a statement saying: “In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, especially Articles 30 and 91 (1, 2, and 7) thereof...

Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the Republic, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defense, decided today, Monday, October 26, 2026, to send units of the People’s National Army to the Republic of Niger in order to ensure the protection of the common Algerian-Nigerian energy and economic interests. The Algerian Parliament, with its two chambers (the National People’s Assembly and the National Assembly), voted in favor of sending army forces to a military mission outside the borders in Niger.

The National People's Assembly approved, by a majority of its deputies, "the notification sent by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, regarding the process of sending units of the People's National Army outside the country (the Republic of Niger)." The other chamber of Parliament (the National Assembly) also unanimously agreed to send troops out of the country.

According to Article 91 of the Algerian Constitution, sending army units abroad requires the approval of two-thirds of each chamber in Parliament, provided that this takes place in separate sessions in each chamber, which is what the country witnessed today. At the end of August, the Algerian Ministry of Defense announced sending two patrols of Sukhoi Su-30 combat aircraft (4 fighters) to Niger to support its army in light of the conditions of instability the country is witnessing.