Algerian President announces closing the page on tension between Algeria and Niger
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said on Monday that the visit of Niger’s interim president, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to the country, which began on Sunday evening, ended an abnormal phase characterized by cold between the two countries, although the two brotherly peoples continued to communicate with each other.
In a joint statement following talks he held at the Moradia Palace with his guest General Tchiani, Tebboune noted a visit that he said had been waiting for a while.
He announced that he had agreed with the head of the Nigerien military junta to start the project of completing the gas pipeline transiting through Nigerien territory, noting that immediately after the month of Ramadan, practical procedures will be launched to start laying the pipeline on Nigerien territory.
A year ago, the two countries signed agreements to accelerate the completion of the project, which stretches more than 4,000 kilometers, and aims to export gas to Europe.
On the security front, the Algerian president stressed the coordination between the two countries to preserve the security and stability of the region.
The two sides also agreed to study development projects involving the health and education sectors, and to establish a press house in Niamey.
From his part, Tchiani said his visit to Algeria at the head of a high-level ministerial delegation reflects the importance his country attaches to strengthening relations between the two countries.
He welcomed the Algerian position in support of respect for Niger’s sovereignty and political choices, describing it as honourable.
He expressed his conviction that a pivotal stage in the history of the Sahel and Africa is being written today, noting that each country will choose its location according to its convictions, interests and the values it believes in.
Commenting on Tchiani’s visit to Algeria, a diplomat at Mali’s foreign ministry said that “Niger is free to establish relations with whomever it wants, provided that it doesn’t harm the interests of the confederation that brings the two countries together alongside Burkina Faso”.
Algeria’s relations with Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have been strained significantly since April 2025, against the backdrop of the Algerian army’s downing of a Malian armed forces plane, which Algerian official authorities said was shot down after it penetrated the country’s borders, while the Malian authorities announced that the shooting down took place inside their territory.
Following shot down the plane, the three countries summoned their ambassadors to Algeria for consultations, and the Algerian authorities responded in kind.
