Sahel: Algeria’ Strategic Approach Countering Neocolonial Predation
BY: Hana Saada
Accra, Ghana, August 21, 2023 – As the ECOWAS army chiefs convene in Accra to deliberate on a potential military intervention in Niger aimed at reinstating ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the Sahel region is witnessing a complex geopolitical landscape marked by competing interests and shifting alliances. Amidst this backdrop, Algeria has emerged as a key player advocating for a holistic approach to security and development that counters neocolonial predation and foreign interference.
France’s Military Preparations Raise Concerns
Recent developments indicate that French military forces have shifted their operational focus to the Al Wigh airbase in southern Libya, located approximately 500 kilometers from the Niger-Chad border. This Libyan airbase, currently housing around 400 personnel, holds the potential for reinforcement, potentially accommodating up to 1000 personnel. The primary objective behind these strategic military preparations appears to be the eventual occupation of Niamey, the capital city of Niger. In conjunction with the potential mobilization of ECOWAS military forces in the southern region, France is concurrently planning an offensive maneuver from northern Niger.
Following a departure from involvement by the United States, which seems to be favoring political and diplomatic avenues and has recently assigned a new ambassador to Niamey, France finds itself at a crossroads after the downfall of Bazoum. This situation comes in the wake of France’ setbacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. In response, France is employing a multifaceted approach to safeguard its reputation and interests in Niger, a historically significant partner. Paris maintains an extensive network of both economic and strategic interests, with a primary focus on the extraction of natural energy and mineral resources from this Sahelian nation, even as its citizens continue to grapple with increasing levels of poverty.
Niger holds paramount importance for France, its former colonial power, which views the nation as a pivotal ally within the Sahel region. This significance has only deepened with the evolving dynamics of the area, especially in the aftermath of France’s diminishing influence and its subsequent expulsion from Mali and Burkina Faso.
The preservation of a foothold in Niger is of paramount concern to the French government, as relinquishing this territory would significantly bolster the coalition of independent nations in the Sahel region, both from a military and a strategic standpoint. In the wake of being expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger remains the solitary anchor for French military operations in the Sahel. The current trajectory raises the specter of France losing its hold on the African continent entirely.
Unraveling Quagmire: France’s Ill-Fated Military Intervention in the Sahel
The tumultuous overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, orchestrated by France and its former Atlanticist President Sarkozy, has been identified as the root cause of the ongoing political and security instability plaguing the entire region. Curiously, Sarkozy now finds himself in the role of an instructor rather than addressing the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his potential involvement in war crimes. This paradox prompts us to question why France, a proponent of preserving constitutional order, chose to disregard it in the case of Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya. Furthermore, if France intervened ostensibly to protect the persecuted Libyan population from Gaddafi’s oppression, it raises eyebrows when they criticize Russia’s military intervention aimed at safeguarding the Russian populace facing persecution in the Donbass region by the Ukrainian government.
France finds itself ensnared by its own strategies in both Ukraine and the Sahel. Its military involvement across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic has inadvertently contributed to the deterioration of local armed forces. Lacking essential military resources and specialized training to effectively combat the pervasive terrorist groups in these regions, the nations’ armies have been left vulnerable. Adding to the complexity, France’s controversial practice of paying ransoms to terrorist factions further complicates matters. This approach contradicts a UN Security Council resolution explicitly denouncing ransom payments to such groups. Notably, Algeria stands out for its extensive experience in countering cross-border and transnational terrorism. For years, Algeria has persistently advocated before international forums for a comprehensive ban on hostage ransom payments – a critical source of terrorism financing.
Examining operations like Barkhane, Saber, and Sangaris, which have spanned over a decade, brings to light France’s dubious military engagements in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. While ostensibly geared towards combating terrorism, these endeavors have been unveiled as a façade – a convenient pretext for France’s presence on foreign soil. Additionally, these operations serve as a veneer to legitimize the exploitation of these nations’ natural resources by multinational corporations, notably Orano (formerly known as Areva) in Niger.
A recent declaration by Abdoulay Diop, the current Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, casts further doubts on the credibility of these military interventions. Diop highlights that Operation Barkhane, costing a staggering 2 million euros per day, failed to provide any helicopters over a 9-year span. This stark contrast is accentuated by Mali’s independent acquisition of multiple aircraft within a mere two years following the departure of French forces.
In essence, the Libyan crisis and its aftermath, along with France’s military involvements in the Sahel, create a narrative of contradictions and double standards that demand thorough examination. France’s divergent actions and rationales – from violating constitutional order to criticizing interventions elsewhere – prompt a reevaluation of its foreign policy and its true motivations behind military endeavors.
Algeria’s Holistic Approach Towards Sahel Stability and Prosperity
In the tumultuous aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow by NATO and France, the Sahel region plunged into programmed instability. Yet, Algeria, undeterred by foreign interference and forced regime changes, championed a distinctive approach that centers on empowerment, security, and development. By denouncing coercive power shifts, Algeria advocated for regional nations’ strengthening of military and intelligence capabilities to combat extremist factions like AQIM, Ansar Dine, FLM, Al-Mourabitoune, and JNIM under Al Qaeda, as well as Daesh and Boko Haram. This commitment coalesced through initiatives like the Joint Operational Staff Committee (CEMOC), fostering political and security stability.
Algeria’s principled stance rattled neocolonial powers, triggering the emergence of the G5 Sahel initiative. Nonetheless, this endeavor was met with a counterforce led by anti-colonial elements, which successfully dismantled puppet regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, upholding Algeria’s non-interference ethos.
An African-Led Future
Algeria’s holistic strategy transcends security concerns and includes regional development interventions. Evident in monumental projects such as the trans-Saharan road, optical fiber network linking neighboring countries, transcontinental gas megaproject, and key transportation routes, Algeria seeks to stabilize the Sahelian populace, enhance cross-border trade, and enable robust socio-economic progress for African communities. This commitment further materialized with President Tebboune’s billion-dollar-endowed Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development.
In addition, President Tebboune’s commitment to the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development, endowed with a billion dollars, underscores Algeria’s dedication to promoting regional prosperity. The agency’ success is tied to the creation of free zones along Algeria’s borders with its African neighbors, a move that aims to attract investments and curb migratory flows. This integrated approach, combining security and development, seeks to address the root causes of instability and terrorism.
Algeria’s resolute and pragmatic stance in the battle against terrorism is taking tangible form on the ground, and this manifestation is far from coincidental. Echoing this commitment, General Said Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the Algerian People’s National Army (ANP), delivered a compelling address via videoconference on August 15, 2023, during the 11th International Security Conference in Moscow. In his impassioned speech, General Chanegriha fervently advocated for the establishment of an African fund dedicated to counterterrorism efforts.
It is within this context that Algeria has pledged to contribute a substantial one billion dollars to this African fund, aiming to galvanize the advancement of fellow African nations.
In essence, Algeria’s resolute approach resonates as a beacon of hope and stability in a region challenged by tumult. Its commitment to non-interference, coupled with dynamic development strategies, provides a roadmap for Sahel’s transformation and underscores Africa’s potential for self-reliance and progress.
