Algerian President meets Nigerien PM amid growing cooperation

The Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has met with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, accompanied by his delegation. According to Algerie Eco on 27 August, many Algerian ministers took part in the meettings, such as the Chief of Staff of the National People’s Army, General of the Army Saïd Chanegriha, the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mr. Mohamed Arkab, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Abdelkrim Bouzred.

In the midst of the diplomatic visit, a minute of silence was observed to honour victims of fires across Algeria, particularly affecting central regions of the country.  At least 12 people have died in the forest fires that have been decimating many wilayas (regions) since 26 August.

Prime Minister Lamine Zeine indicated that this meeting represented “an opportunity to review the status of implementation of the various joint projects, to assess their progress, define their prospects, and set new objectives for the next phase.”

The Prime Minister further evoked “the depth of the bilateral relations” between Algeria and Niger, “two neighboring and brotherly countries,” adding that he had conveyed “the sentiments of deep friendship and brotherhood of the President of the Republic of Niger, General of the Army Abdourahamane Tiani, to his brother, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune.”

Economic projects between Algeria and Niger have led to enhanced security and diplomatic cooperation in the past months. For instance, the Algerian Ministry of Defence has donated 4 army helicopters to Niger on the 9th of August. Two of the helicopters are MI-24V, while the others are of MI-171 type. More arms and equipment, such as an undisclosed amount of ammunition, have also been sent, all received by the Nigerien general Salifou Maïnassara, Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Air Force.

Moreover, the Algerian state-owned energy company Sonatrach has officially launched oil exploration drilling at the Kafra site in northern Niger, near the shared border.

Nigerien authorities not only describe this as a major shift for bilateral relations but also for the local hydrocarbon sector. According to the Connaissance des énergies report, the project aims to reach a depth of 3,900 meters. The Nigerien Ministry of Petroleum announced that ENAFOR, a subsidiary of Sonatrach, who have held the licence since 2005, is executing the drilling work. The block spans 23,737 square kilometres and sits adjacent to the Tafassasset field on the Algerian side. Estimated reserves at the Kafra block exceed 260 million barrels, as Connaissance des énergies reports.