The visit of the President of Niger to Algeria… political and economic importance – New Algeria

About a full week after the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, invited him, the President of Niger, General Abderrahmani Tiani, landed yesterday in Algeria on a visit that comes after three full years of political and diplomatic apathy, specifically since the coup against Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum and a year in the wake of the hot crisis that followed the downing of a drone belonging to the Malian army by the People’s National Army at the end of last March.

Political experts and analysts agree that the visit, even if it took a technical, sectoral character, nevertheless carries in its contents clear diplomatic and political messages that the situation that the Sahel region has been experiencing for more than a decade imposes a zone of strategic cooperation between the countries of the region in a way that serves regional stability. Dr. Abdelhak Ben Saadi, professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences and International Relations, says, “This visit comes to end the rupture that came about as a result of political tensions, but today all indicators are pointing toward… Redressing the situation and returning to what was before the crisis last April.”

The Presidency of the Republic announced, the day before yesterday, that “President Tiani will make a visit that it described as a “brotherly and working visit” at the head of an important delegation to Algeria, lasting for two days, considering that it represents an opportunity to address political issues related to the African continent in general, and the vicinity of the Saharan coast in particular, and aims “to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, cooperation and good neighborliness between the two brotherly countries, within the framework of a new dynamic for better exploitation of their capabilities and potentials, for the benefit of the two Algerian peoples.” And Nigerian“.

Many files will be present and strongly in the discussion, most notably: energy and existing cooperation around the project that connects three countries (Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria), which is the trans-Saharan gas pipeline project. All of these files were put forward for initial discussion during the successful visit of the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, to Niamey. One of the most prominent economic fruits of the visit is the resumption of Sonatrach’s work in Nigerian territories, specifically in the hydrocarbon market, where it will participate in The field of research and exploration in northern Niger through its subsidiary.

In addition to the issues related to the humanitarian aspect, Dr. Abdelhak Ben Saadi says, “Niger is suffering from multiple crises due to low human development indicators and insecurity. Therefore, it can be said that the field will be open for promoting cooperation, especially since Algeria is looking for African markets to channel its exports and even implement and finance a package of development projects within the framework of a support program provided by Algeria for the benefit of Niger, in the sectors of drinking water provision, and even vocational training and education centers.” Such as building schools and training centers, as well as constructing health centers for the cities of northern Niger.”

It is also expected that the file of border security and combating terrorism will emerge as one of the most prominent issues that will be discussed during Tiani’s visit to Algeria, especially in light of the increasing activity of “Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb” and armed organizations in the Sahel and on the borders, especially since this visit comes in the wake of the attack on Niamey Airport about a week ago by ISIS. The speaker confirms that “at the height of the crisis, Algeria expressed its willingness to provide a helping hand to Niger.” The main factor on which this visit is based is that the Nigerian head of state has expressed his readiness to promote this cooperation as a response to the outstretched hand in Algeria, which is betting on the stability of its neighborhood away from any foreign interference.”

It can be said, according to the political analyst, that “this visit comes after the two parties were convinced to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, cooperation and good neighborliness between the two brotherly countries within the framework of a new dynamic to better exploit their capabilities and capabilities and fill the gaps of foreign interference in the region.”

On the other hand, the visit is of great economic importance. Economic analyst Abdel Samad Saoudi said in a statement to “elhiwar us” that “the upcoming visit is very important for Algeria for several considerations and factors, the most important of which is increasing its exports towards the African interior and strengthening its presence in the continental free trade area.” The spokesman points out that “Niger is considered Algeria’s refuge towards the African interior.”

The other important file is the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project, which is a strategic pipeline linking Nigeria to Algeria via Niger with a total length exceeding 4,000 km to transport gas to Europe. It aims to transport 30 billion cubic meters annually, at an estimated cost of 10-13 billion dollars. According to the spokesman, it is likely that “the visit will lead to special agreements and protocols in order to materialize this project, which is considered a major artery for supporting development and breaking the isolation from the Saharan and semi-Saharan countries, including Niger.” He points out The speaker said that great emphasis will be placed on the security aspect in order to secure this line, especially since the countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are considered the countries most affected by terrorism, as terrorist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda are spread throughout them.

For his part, Dr. Bouhania Qawi, professor of political sciences and international relations at Kasdi-Merbah Ouargla University, says, “Algerian-Nigerian relations extend for decades of historical cooperation and solidarity, and the diplomatic movement witnessed by relations between the two countries reflects a clear political will to enhance dialogue and reactivate the partnership between them.” The speaker believes that “security cooperation protects borders and prevents the exploitation of tensions for the benefit of hostile regional parties.” In this context, the speaker refers to “experiences.” Previously, the Nigerian-Algerian coordination contributed to monitoring more than 950 km of the common border, exchanging intelligence information, and thwarting the attempts of cross-border armed groups, blocking the openings for the regional parties that tried to encircle Algeria from its southern side, and the role of the People’s National Army is highlighted here (Army national populaire, ANP) and headquarters Group of operations joined In Tamanrasset, which includes specialized teams to combat terrorism and cross-border crime and enhances military cooperation between Algeria and sister African countries.”

Fouad Q