ALGIERS — Abdourahamane Tiani arrived in Algeria on Sunday for talks with Abdelmadjid Tebboune, signalling an end to months of tension.
The visit marks a potential breakthrough after more than 10 months of strained diplomatic relations between the neighbouring Sahel states.
Algeria’s presidency said Tebboune received Tiani, who led a high-level delegation, according to a statement posted on Facebook.
State television showed Tebboune welcoming his counterpart at Houari Boumediene International Airport in the capital, Algiers.
An official ceremony featured the playing of both national anthems and an honour guard beneath clear winter skies.
Senior officials attended, including Senate Speaker Azzouz Nasri and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Said Chanegriha.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and Energy and Mines Minister Mohamed Arkab were also present at the reception.
The two presidents later held bilateral talks in the airport’s VIP lounge with their delegations.
No immediate details were released on the substance of discussions or the length of Tiani’s stay.
Local analysts said the formal welcome suggested a decisive closing of the diplomatic rift.
Algeria on Thursday announced the return of its ambassador to Niger, Ahmed Saadi, restoring full diplomatic representation.
The move followed Niger’s decision to resume its ambassadorial duties in Algiers the same day.
Tensions erupted last April after Mali accused Algeria of downing one of its military drones near their border.
Algeria said the aircraft violated its airspace on an offensive trajectory, calling it a repeated breach.
In response, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso recalled their ambassadors, prompting Algeria to reciprocate.
Relations began thawing late last year with symbolic messages and renewed ministerial visits.
Algeria and Niger share a 950-kilometre border and cooperate on strategic infrastructure and energy projects.
These include the Trans-Saharan Highway and a proposed pipeline carrying Nigerian gas to Europe, with projected annual capacity of 30 billion cubic metres.