Niger’s President, Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, has thanked Algeria for opposing calls for military intervention following the July 2023 coup that brought him to power, praising Algiers for respecting Niger’s sovereignty.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Algiers alongside Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Monday, Tiani said Algeria had stood in solidarity with Niger despite what he described as pressure from foreign powers and international bodies.
Algeria’s position, he said, reflected respect for Niger’s “internal political choices” and honored the Algerian state and its people. Tiani added that Algeria had refused to allow its territory to be used to launch an attack on another African country.
He criticized what he described as attempts by external actors with “neo-colonial” agendas to push for military action against Niger, and accused some African leaders of aligning with calls for intervention led by France.
“The peace and security that we want for Niger, we also want for our neighbors and friends,” Tiani said.
Following the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order and activated its standby force. France publicly backed ECOWAS’ position at the time. Algeria, however, rejected the use of force, warning it would destabilize the wider Sahel region.
Tiani’s visit to Algiers comes after months of strained relations between the two countries and is seen as signaling a normalization of ties.
Last week, Algeria announced the return of its ambassador to Niger, Ahmed Saadi, after both countries had downgraded diplomatic relations in April 2025. Niger also resumed the duties of its ambassador to Algeria, Aminou Malam Manzo.
The diplomatic rift began when Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — recalled their ambassadors from Algiers following accusations by Mali that Algeria had shot down one of its drones. Algeria said the drone had violated its airspace on an offensive trajectory, prompting it to recall its own ambassadors in response.
Relations began to improve in late 2025. In November, Tiani sent a message to Tebboune marking Algeria’s Revolution Day, and in January Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab visited Niger to review joint oil projects, marking the first senior Algerian visit since the diplomatic dispute.