Niger-Algeria tensions ease following Algiers meeting

Diplomatic relations between Niger and Algeria look set to improve following talks in Algiers between Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, and Algeria’s President Abdelmajid Tebboune, as reported by RFI and agencies on February 16th.

President Tebboune said, “The relationship between these two brotherly and neighbouring countries will be an example for Africa .”

It was reported on February 13th that the countries sought to normalise relations, potentially signalling a resumption of historic ties between the former French colonies.

Following a decision by Tebboune, Niger’s Ambassador to Algiers returned to their post on February 12th, with Algeria’s Ambassador to Niamey expected to follow suit.

Ties between the countries deteriorated in April 2025 when Algeria was accused of shooting down a Malian drone; Mali and Niger are allies in the fight against jihadist terrorism in the Sahel region, alongside Burkina Faso.

Algeria claimed to have shot down the drone over Tin Zaouatine, a border town that is a stronghold of the Tuareg separatist group in Mali; reportedly, Mali has accused Algeria of funding the group.

Following the drone incident on April 1st, Niger and its Sahel allies recalled their ambassadors from Algeria and issued a joint statement that accused Algeria of supporting terrorism.

Mali and Algeria also closed their airspace following the incident on April 7th; additionally, Malian aircraft were also accused of repeatedly violating Algeria’s airspace, prompting Algeria to suspend all flights to and from its southern neighbour.

Despite the deterioration of ties, in July 2025, Tebboune offered to support mediation efforts between Bamako and the rebels in Mali’s north, despite Mali accusing Algeria of harbouring “terrorists who come to attack on Malian territory.”

News of Algeria and Niger’s normalisation comes amid Niger’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, which would grant the Western Sahara limited self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty.

Algeria has rejected Moroccan sovereignty and backs the Polisario Front, a separatist militia that claims to be engaged in an armed struggle against the perceived “Moroccan occupier” on behalf of the Sahrawi people, whose ancestral homeland is the Western Sahara.

It is unclear whether Niger’s endorsement of Moroccan sovereignty will affect its long-term ties with Algeria, especially since Niger and Algeria share a history as French colonies, with Niger gaining independence in 1960, followed by Algeria in 1962.

RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org