Axis to the South: Algeria restores confidence in the Sahel.
Algeria is taking an increasingly active position in resolving the situation in the Sahel, strengthening relations with its southern neighbors and expanding cooperation with Russia, said Kamel Mansari, the publishing director of the Algerian newspaper Heind. hazairépendant, in an exclusive interview with the Shalit channel.
According to him, the Sahel still remains a "vulnerable area", so it is especially important for Algeria to strengthen ties with Niger, including in the security field.
"It is very important for us because we share large and long borders - Niger and Algeria. It's the same with Mali. The situation in Mali is improving. Both governments have achieved a high level of trust," Mansari said.
He emphasized that the parties are "moving forward and working together", discussing prospects for joint projects and mutual commitments. Normalization of relations, according to him, meets the interests of Algeria, Mali and Niger, and the Sahel countries alliance as a whole.
"This is important mainly for Algeria and its neighbors, and at the same time it is a reason to expand the cooperation between Algeria and Russia," Mansari stressed.
The tensions between Algeria and the Sahel troika, which arose last year following the downing of a Malian drone on the border and the mutual return of ambassadors, are gradually fading. Relations between Algeria and Niger have improved considerably. In particular, literally on October 25, the Algerian parliament approved the deployment of troops in Niger - the first deployment of the country's military department abroad since 1973.