Algeria redirects military cooperation to the US in response to Russia's influence in the Sahel
Algeria signed a memorandum of defence cooperation with the United States in response to Russia's growing influence in the Sahel region that has bypassed Algerian interests, despite the historic relationship between Algiers and Moscow.
Algeria strengthens its military cooperation with Washington through a memorandum signed in the Algerian capital between the commander of the African Military Command (AFRICOM), Michael Langley, and Algeria's Minister Delegate for National Defence, as well as the Chief of Army Staff, General Said Chengriha. Following the signing, Langley met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid. Tebboune, consolidating the rapprochement begun months earlier.
The military rapprochement with the US reflects Algeria's intention to reorient its relationship with Washington in response to its increasingly frosty ties with Russia, its historical partner. This shift is accentuated by Moscow's role in recent years, which has begun to compete with Algeria's regional influence in the Sahel.
Algeria sees its decline in the region and the Sahelian military regimes' challenge to its influence as part of Russia's penetration, which has not considered Algeria's strategic interests. This situation has become a direct threat to Algeria's sovereignty and security, especially given the posture of Mali's new rulers, who, following the coup, have launched an offensive against Algeria's allied groups under the pretext of fighting terrorist organisations.
Security and intelligence cooperation has been a key pillar of Algerian-US relations for years. However, Algeria's political orientations have maintained its military alliance with Russia, until the new geopolitical transformation in the region, driven by the arrival of the Wagner Group in the Sahel countries, changed the situation. Wagner's involvement in coups against elected governments and its subsequent action to challenge both Western and Algerian interests have marked a turning point.
Algerian strongman Chengriha used the meeting with Michael Langley to congratulate President Donald Trump on his inauguration. This gesture reflects the Algerian military leadership's desire to foster fruitful cooperative relations with the United States, which could lead to future arms deals.
At the end of the meeting with Tebboune, the AFRICOM commander highlighted the ‘deep historical’ ties between the two countries, marked by ‘mutual respect and common concerns about the stability and security of the region’.
For his part, Chengriha underlined that Algeria is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation relations in various fields and sectors, including defence and security.
Algeria is working to overcome the barriers separating it from Trump, who, during his previous term, gave the impression of prioritising its relationship with Morocco - Algiers' rival in the region - especially after recognising the Kingdom's sovereignty over Western Sahara.
By hosting the AFRICOM commander, Algeria seeks to send a clear message to the new US administration about its willingness to cooperate and enhance its interests in the region. This includes a change in the direction of military cooperation, which for decades has been led by its Russian partner. This shift is complemented by a recent political and diplomatic rapprochement with Washington, in the form of a series of contacts and visits.
Following this rapprochement, the Algerian authorities hope for a significant arms deal. In this regard, it is worth noting that Algeria's defence spending has reached record levels in preparation for what they consider ‘unprecedented regional threats’, against a backdrop of growing insecurity in southern countries.
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Algeria's defence spending will reach a record 3.35 trillion dinars (25.1 billion dollars), making it ‘one of the highest in the Middle East and North Africa’ and representing about one-fifth of the country's total budget this year.
