Algeria’s role in expelling America from the African coast

After the humiliating expulsion of the French army from Mali and Niger, it is now the turn of the American troops to leave Niger. In the latest position, the transitional government of Niger criticized the arrogance of Washington and reminded the administration of “Joe Biden” that this country located in the Sahel region of Africa has sovereignty and they will not implement the orders of the envoys of the US Department of State to Niamey.

Algerie Patriotique website wrote with this introduction that the American army moved from Niamey, the capital of Niger, to the Agadez base in this country last September. Washington had announced the change of position of its forces and equipment in Niger at the same time as the departure of some of its personnel. This is the first important US military move in Niger after the ousting of the president “Mohammed Bazoum” close to the West.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ataf discussed the situation in Niger with his American counterpart Anthony Blinken during his business trip to Washington in mid-August.

These 2 emphasized the convergence of the views of Algeria and the United States in order to solve the crisis through diplomatic channels and rejected any foreign military intervention, but in fact, Al-Jazeera has a bad view of the American maneuvers both in the Sahel and in Libya. Where the secret services of this country are trying hard to postpone any political solution and create a thousand and one distractions for holding elections.

Algerian and American foreign ministers meeting in Washington

The “American Institute of Peace” reported: “For more than 2 decades, Algeria and the United States have shared concerns about terrorist presence in the Sahel, and counterterrorism cooperation between them is strong. However, while the current government of Mali seeks to expand its relations with Russia and the Wagner group, the interests of Algeria and the United States may diverge.

The institute believes that although the United States and Algeria have a strong interest in achieving financial stability, they have different views on how to achieve it. Given Washington’s strategic alignment with Algeria’s rival, Morocco, particularly on the Western Sahara dispute, it is in the United States’ interest to separate any cooperation with Algeria from other regional financial issues.

With Algeria refusing any foreign military presence, especially Western countries, on its borders, the interest of the United States to maintain its bases in Niger may be shaken.

The important question for American policymakers will be whether Algeria will demand a US military withdrawal from Niger as a precondition for coordination with the United States to stabilize that country.

The American Institute posed 2 questions about “Will maintaining the US military presence in Niger become a point of friction for Algeria?” and “Can Algeria and the United States put aside their differing views on Western Sahara?” It comes down to the basic question, “How will the United States react to the rejection of the new authorities in Niger, who have clearly shown Washington that they will maintain close relations with Russia and Iran?”

Source: ISNA