Algeria Sends Envoy To Niger Republic For Talks On Crisis

Algeria has said sent its senior official to neighbouring Niger on Thursday to pursue a diplomatic initiative following a military coup.

In a statement on Twitter on Thursday, the foreign ministry said the Secretary-General, Lounes Magramane, will be visiting Niger on Thursday.

The ministry added that Magramane’s visit is another step in Algiers’ unceasing efforts to contribute to a peaceful solution to the crisis in Niger and avoid increased risks for its neighbouring country and for the entire region.

Niger’s Voice of the Sahel radio station later said Magramane met members of the military-appointed government, including Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, Defence Minister Salifou Mody, Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare and Justice Minister Alio Daouda.

The visit comes a day after Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf began a tour of West African countries in a bid to find a solution in a crisis in which Algiers firmly opposes any military intervention.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has threatened to use force to reinstate the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was toppled by members of his guard on July 26.

The bloc, which has also imposed trade sanctions against Niger, has stressed that any intervention would be a last resort and that it prefers a diplomatic outcome.

Algeria, which shares a 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) southern land border with Niger, has previously cautioned against a military solution, which President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said would be “a direct threat” to his country.