An Algerian military delegation led by Algerian Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Said Chengriha was in Moscow earlier this week. They held talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu on August 1.
During the meeting, according to a Russian Defense Ministry Statement, Shoigu “noted that Russian-Algerian relations are developing especially dynamically and positively. We have given a clear signal to the whole world that Russia and Algeria are aiming to pursue an independent foreign policy and defend their national interests, despite the unprecedented pressure from the West,” Shoigu added.
Russia recognizes Algeria’s leading position in ensuring security in northern Africa, and Moscow is ready to help increase combat capabilities of the Algerian military.”
As part of its independent foreign policy, the Algerian Foreign Ministry, on August 2, issued a statement warning against a military intervention in Niger in order to restore the elected government that was overthrown by a group of army officers on July 26.
“Algeria cautions, calls for prudence and restraint in the face of aspirations of foreign military intervention, which unfortunately appear to be real and feasible options, while being factors that only complicate and exacerbate the current crisis,” the ministry said in a statement according to Middle East Monitor.
While the statement reiterated Algeria’s support for deposed Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, the statement declared that, “Constitutional order must be returned through peaceful means so as to prevent brotherly Niger and the entire region from sliding further into problems of insecurity and instability.”
