Algeria Moves to Regain Influence in the Sahel as Morocco Gains Ground
Algeria is seeking to re-establish its foothold in the Sahel, where border insecurity is compounded by rivalry with Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. A Financial Times investigation describes a government concerned that its competitors are gaining influence as its neighbors face armed groups.
Protecting its borders, supporting its partners and preserving its influence: Algiers is stepping up its responses to upheaval in the Sahel. In an investigation published on October 6, the Financial Times describes leaders who fear the advance of jihadist groups as much as that of actors seen as hostile, particularly Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
On Bladi.net : Faced with Morocco’s rise in the Sahel, Algeria now takes its fighter jets beyond its borders
“They increasingly feel that they are surrounded by potentially hostile actors,” Yvan Guichaoua, a researcher at the Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies, told the British newspaper. To the south, advances by armed groups in Mali are exposing Algeria’s borders. Algiers also fears that separatist demands by Malian Tuareg insurgents could find an echo among its own Tuareg population.
This concern has accompanied a rapprochement with Sahelian governments after several years of tensions. On August 30, four Su-30 fighter jets and a tanker aircraft landed in Niamey. The Algerian Ministry of Defense described this support mission to Niger as a response to a request from local authorities following an attempted destabilization.
The aircraft remained in Niger for several days before returning to southern Algeria, two Western diplomats told the FT. On October 3, Abdelmadjid Tebboune justified sending them by denouncing a “provocation” by an unnamed actor. He also voiced support for Mali and Niger in their fight against terrorism.
Rabat and Abu Dhabi in Algiers’ sights
For Algiers, Niger’s security also serves economic interests. The country lies along the route of the trans-Saharan gas pipeline, intended to link Nigeria and Algeria. Tebboune is championing the corridor against the rival project backed by Morocco and Nigeria, which is oriented toward the Atlantic coast.
The FT notes Algeria’s concerns over Morocco’s growing influence in West Africa and the strengthening of military and intelligence ties between Rabat and Israel. Russia’s presence further complicates the situation: a diplomat in Niamey said Algiers was seeking to present its support as more respectful of local authorities than that of Russian paramilitaries.
On Bladi.net : Tebboune brings up Morocco even when discussing Algeria
The confrontation with the United Arab Emirates has led to a diplomatic break. Tebboune accuses Abu Dhabi of seeking to “control” Algeria. But no evidence of Emirati involvement in the attempted coup in Niger has been presented, the FT notes. Algiers has not made that accusation directly.
The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged Algeria’s decision on September 10. In its statement, it expressed hope that the break would be temporary and reaffirmed its commitment to the ties between the two peoples.
