Algeria has raised alarms over the impact of foreign interventions in Libya, calling attention to the aftereffects these actions have left behind. Ahmed Attaf, the Algerian Foreign Minister, expressed concerns stating that foreign nations that intervened in Libya have since “left the country, leaving regional states to grapple with the ensuing tragedy.”
This sentiment comes amid a backdrop of potential military action in Niger by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. The situation in Libya has resurfaced in the speeches of both political and military leaders in Algeria, highlighting the repercussions of military interventions on Africa’s stability.
In a conversation with The Washington Post, Minister Attaf spoke of his recent visit to Washington, during which he discussed the Niger crisis. He emphasized three main principles: upholding constitutional and democratic order, reinstating President Bazoum as Niger’s legitimate leader, and prioritizing peaceful conflict resolution.
Attaf adopted a cautious stance regarding possible ECOWAS military intervention, referencing past experiences in the region that worsened conditions rather than improving them. He specifically cited Libya, describing it as a catastrophic intervention for the entire region. “We are the ones paying the price while those responsible have abandoned us to this tragedy,” Attaf remarked.
Meanwhile, the Algerian Army’s Chief, Lt. Gen. Said Chengriha, warned that any foreign intervention in Niger would exacerbate regional instability. He voiced this during a virtual speech broadcasted on national television at the 11th International Security Conference held in Moscow.
Chengriha asserted that the current turmoil in the Sahel region is a direct consequence of negative repercussions from foreign interventions and the Libyan crisis since 2011. Furthermore, he pointed to the escalating armed conflict in Sudan since April 2023, emphasizing that it could have regional implications, further complicating the Sahel and Horn of Africa’s instability. “The political deadlock in Libya remains a significant concern for the region’s populations, who hope for a consensual political solution for Libyans through inclusive national reconciliation and democratic elections,” he added.
Earlier this month, on August 6th, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune cautioned against the ramifications of military intervention in Niger, drawing parallels with the ongoing complications in Libya.
