Algiers is shopping a plan to restore democracy after the coup in Niamey and stave off a foreign military intervention. Algiers is concerned about instability spilling into neighboring countries including Algeria and violent extremists exploiting the turmoil in Niger itself.
No Algerian takes peace and stability at home for granted. In , three hardline jihadist terrorist groups β al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, and Ansar Dine β gained control of two-thirds of Mali, including territory bordering Algeria. Today, Algerian officials have similar concerns about instability in Niger creating opportunities for the ISIS- and al-Qaida-linked terrorist groups operating in the country to wage attacks throughout the region.
Having existed as a French colony before waging a war for independence , Algerians view national sovereignty as sacrosanct. Viewing itself as a vanguard in anti-imperialist, pan-African, and Arab nationalist causes, Algeria will always oppose Western especially French military intervention in Africa, the Middle East , or anywhere in the Global South.
Within this context, Algeria is playing a leading role in advocating for a diplomatic solution to the Nigerien crisis that prevents any external military intervention. After the visits, Attaf proposed a six-month transition plan to bring civilian rule and democracy back to Niger. The junta called for a three-year transition period to restore constitutional order. Algeria is hoping that its proposal offers a middle ground that saves face on all sides but also leads to a restoration of democracy in Niger while preventing any military action against the landlocked and sanctioned country.
Despite an early unsuccessful mission by a top State Department official to engage the junta, the U. The country had no other [option] than [to] maximize security at its borders and this can't be done without hard choices being taken.
