Algeria Gate: Algeria is preparing for an exceptional parliamentary development on Sunday, as the Council of the Nation and the People’s National Assembly, the two chambers of the Algerian Parliament, are expected to hold separate extraordinary sessions to vote on a presidential order concerning national defence.
According to sources cited by Algeria Gate, the order concerns the approval of a decision to deploy units of the People’s National Army outside the country’s borders as part of military cooperation with the Republic of Niger.
The bureau of the People’s National Assembly has already held a meeting, while the bureau of the Council of the Nation is expected to meet in the coming hours to finalise the organisational arrangements for the two sessions.
Extraordinary parliamentary sessions scheduled
According to Algeria Gate’s sources, members of the Council of the Nation and deputies of the People’s National Assembly received official notifications by text message. The brief messages specified the times of the sessions without disclosing details of the agenda.
The Council of the Nation is scheduled to convene at 10 a.m., while members of the People’s National Assembly are expected to meet later the same day. The two chambers will hold separate sessions rather than a joint meeting.
The discussions are expected to focus on a presidential order concerning national defence, aimed at implementing the second paragraph of Article 91 of the Constitution. This provision allows the President of the Republic, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and responsible for national defence, to deploy units of the People’s National Army beyond Algeria’s national borders, subject to approval by a two-thirds majority of the members of each parliamentary chamber.
Algeria and Niger strengthen military cooperation
The anticipated parliamentary sessions come amid an unprecedented rapprochement between Algeria and Niger in the military and security fields, particularly following the visit to Algeria by Niger’s Minister of State for National Defence, Salifou Modi, who met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
During the visit, Salifou Modi and Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, General Saïd Chanegriha, signed a military cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening coordination between the two countries.
The agreement focuses in particular on securing their shared borders, combating terrorism and exchanging military expertise. It also seeks to address Nigerien authorities’ needs in developing their army’s operational capabilities.
Tebboune confirms deployment of fighter jets to Niger
In his most recent televised interview, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed that Algeria had sent fighter jets to Niger late last month at the request of Nigerien authorities, following an alleged coup attempt in the capital, Niamey.
Tebboune said the aircraft were dispatched because certain parties had gone too far. He explained that Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, had visited Algeria and returned to his country during the night, before a coup attempt took place.
“The matter is clear. This is a provocation against us. I will also send aircraft. Fine, let’s face each other head-on — an eye for an eye,” Tebboune said.
On August 30, the Algerian Ministry of National Defence announced the deployment of four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to Niamey to support the Nigerien army following developments in the country.
Nigerien Defence Minister Salifou Modi had previously stated that a group of military personnel attempted, during the night of August 28–29, to detain several of their colleagues inside Air Base 101 in Niamey. The group also opened fire on strategic locations in the capital.
Shared security concerns
Algeria and Niger maintain close military and security ties and share an extensive land border. Algeria considers stability in the Sahel a key component of its national security.
Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine visited Algeria on August 26 and 27, leading a high-level ministerial delegation. The working visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and included a meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
