Algerian army in Niger: Former minister Abdelaziz Rahabi rejects any EU oversight

On November 6, 2026, former Algerian minister and ambassador Abdelaziz Rahabi challenged the European Union’s request for details about the deployment of Algerian military units to Niger. He said Brussels had no right to oversee the operation, which Algeria’s parliament approved on October 25 at Niamey’s request, and accused Europe of holding on to an outdated view of Africa. According to Algeria’s APS news agency, no written diplomatic request had been sent to Algiers, while the Workers’ Party denounced EU interference. The deployment follows Algeria’s August 30 dispatch of four Su-30 fighter jets and two military aircraft; Algerian authorities describe the mission as limited and intended to protect shared economic and energy interests.