Brussels:Ouagadougou The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to respecting the sovereignty of Algeria and Niger, following a diplomatic controversy over Algeria's deployment of military units in Niger. The EU emphasized that this move is an internal matter between the two nations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Anouar El Anouni, the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, clarified the EU's stance at a European Commission press briefing in Brussels. He stated that the EU respects the bilateral relations between Algeria and Niger and does not intend to interfere.

The controversy began on October 30, 2026, when Anouar El Anouni's remarks led to diplomatic tensions between the EU and the two African countries. However, in recent statements, he assured that the EU had no plans to question Algeria and Niger's bilateral commitments and reaffirmed the EU's dedication to maintaining harmonious relations through respectful dialogue.

The initial comments by El Anouni had prompted a strong reaction from Algiers and Niamey, leading to the summoning of European diplomatic representatives in both countries. Niger's Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, called in the interim chargé d'affaires of the EU delegation to express discontent with the EU's perceived interference.

Algeria and Niger had previously signed a memorandum of understanding on October 21, 2026, regarding military cooperation, which was soon followed by the Algerian Parliament's approval of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's decision to send military units to Niger at the latter's request. The deployment aims to safeguard the countries' shared energy and economic interests.