Algerian parliament’s upper house approves troop deployment to Niger

NEW: The upper house of Algeria's parliament unanimously approves deploying troops to Niger, following a recent defence pact between the two neighbouring countries. It would be Algeria's first mission abroad since 1973.

Algeria is sending troops abroad for the first time since 1973.

The upper house of parliament voted unanimously today to deploy forces to Niger, and the lower house votes this evening. Algeria's constitution needs two thirds of both chambers, so this is one step from done. The mission, reportedly, is securing Niger's oil facilities.

This follows a defence pact signed last week, when Niger's defence minister General Salifou Modi sat down with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and army chief Said Chanegriha. The details of that agreement were never made public. And it builds on something bigger. Tebboune confirmed Algeria sent Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to Niamey in late August, at Niger's request, to help put down what both governments called a coup attempt.

So a country that has kept its army at home for more than half a century is now stepping into the Sahel. That is a genuine shift in how this region is run, and everyone from Paris to Moscow will have noticed.

This is Dave King, reporting for HIT.