Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Caracas: US maneuvers seek to legitimize regime change and seizure of Venezuelan oil resources.
Caracas: The announced US military deployment in the Caribbean region constitutes a policy of aggression and a threat against Venezuela.
Venezuela: We reject Trump's statements allowing US intelligence agencies to operate in Venezuela.
Palestinian media: Occupation forces storm the town of Azzun, east of Qalqilya
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces fire on Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.

Algeria FM on W.Africa tour to discuss Niger crisis

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Aug 2023 15:58
4 Min Read

Algeria's top diplomat tours West Africa in an effort to solve the crisis in neighboring Niger.

  • x
  • Algerian flags fly at half-staff along the seaside walk in Algiers, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP)
    Algerian flags fly at half-staff along the seaside walk in Algiers, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP)

Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, began a tour of West African countries on Wednesday, in a bid to find a solution following the coup in neighboring Niger.

Attaf was "mandated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune" to go on a diplomatic tour to Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, the Algerian foreign ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter. He is set to hold "consultations on the crisis in Niger and ways of dealing with it" with his counterparts in West African countries, which form part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).    

The regional West African bloc has issued a threat to employ military force in order to reinstate Niger's elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was apprehended by guards on July 26.

Algeria, which shares a significant 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) land border with Niger, has previously cautioned against resorting to a military solution. Algerian President Tebboune emphasized that such an approach would directly jeopardize his North African nation. Tebboune stated, "A solution cannot be achieved without our involvement. We are the ones most directly impacted."

Read next: African Union suspends Niger, rejects African and intl. intervention

Earlier on Tuesday, Algeria rejected France's request to use its airspace for a military attack on Niger. According to multiple media reports, including Algerian state radio, it was suggested that France was considering a strike against the new military leadership in Niamey if they did not release Bazoum, who has been detained since July 26.

In response to Algeria's refusal, France reportedly sought permission from Morocco to allow its military aircraft to traverse Moroccan airspace. France, which maintains around 1,500 troops in its former colony Niger, has faced accusations from the coup leaders of planning a military intervention to reinstate the deposed President.

While the French Foreign Ministry has denied any intent of armed intervention, it has reiterated its support for the West African regional bloc ECOWAS.

Related News

Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to withdraw from ICC, cite 'repression'

Ghana agrees to take in West African migrants deported from US

ECOWAS has threatened to employ force to reverse the coup and restore democratic governance in Niger. However, France maintains that its engagement is aligned with ECOWAS efforts, rather than aiming for direct intervention.

The African Union took the step of suspending Niger on Tuesday until civilian governance is reinstated and announced its intent to assess the implications of any potential armed intervention.

Notably, Algeria, as the largest country in Africa, shares borders with Libya and Mali, both of which have been embroiled in long-standing conflicts. Niger becomes the fourth West African nation to experience a coup since 2020, following similar events in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.

The governing bodies in Burkina Faso and Mali have underscored that any military intervention in Niger would be considered tantamount to a "declaration of war" against their own countries.

What do you need to know?

On July 26, the Nigerien presidential guard overthrew Bazoum. The guard's commander, Abdourahmane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the country's new leader.

The military chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States met to discuss options for military intervention in Niger. The goal of the meeting reportedly is to outline a plan for the intervention, its strategy, logistical aspects, and timetable.

Correspondingly, military leaders in Niger have warned against any armed intervention in their country, stressing that they will "resolutely defend their homeland."

The interim governments of Mali and Burkina Faso warned that any military intervention against Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them.

ECOWAS has resorted to implementing a full pressure campaign on the country, which included the closure of land and air borders between the bloc's countries and Niger, the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions with it, and the freezing of the country's assets in ECOWAS Central Banks. 

The bloc also suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze the assets of the coup leaders, their families, and supporters, and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country.

  • West Africa
  • ECOWAS
  • Niger
  • Algeria
  • Ahmed Attaf
  • Mohamed Bazoum

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS