The authorities in Niger returned to courting Algeria, after a few weeks of tension in relations against the backdrop of allegations made by Niamey against the country regarding the deportation of illegal immigrants, by praising the strength of the close fraternal relations that bind the two countries in various fields of endeavor.

General Abderrahmane Tiani, Head of State and Chairman of the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland, received Algeria’s Ambassador to Niger, Mr. Mehdi Bakhda, according to a statement on Nigerian television, on the occasion of the end of his term as ambassador to his country.

During the meeting, General Chiani praised the strength of the close fraternal relations between Niger and the Republic of Algeria, praising the tireless efforts made by the ambassador during his term of office, which had a great impact in enhancing and consolidating aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger, Bakary Yawo Sangari, presented a National Order of Merit with the rank of “Commander” to Niamey’s Ambassador Benkheda Mahdi following the end of his mission in Niamey.

Minister Bakari Yawu Sangari expressed his country and its people’s gratitude for the services provided by the Algerian ambassador during his two-year mission in Namibia.

Algeria had previously summoned the Ambassador of the Republic of Niger to Algeria, to discuss, essentially, cooperation between the two countries in the field of deporting Nigerien citizens residing illegally in Algeria, a cooperation that was the subject of some rulings issued by the Nigerien authorities that the Algerian side considers to be unfounded rulings.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Niger was reminded of the existence of a bilateral framework dedicated to this issue, and he also drew his attention to the fact that this framework must remain the preferred space for discussing and addressing all data and all developments related to this issue.

Algeria affirmed its firm adherence to the basic rules of good neighborliness, and its will to continue coordination with Niamey on this issue related to migration flows, as well as on any other issue, within the framework of mutual respect and based on the values of cooperation, trust and solidarity.

Wissam Koudache / English Version: Med.B