Algeria wants deeper relations with Russia

Russia is deepening its relations with Algeria, especially in the military sphere. The intensification of Western influence in Morocco in recent years makes Algeria strategically crucial to Moscow’s Maghreb and Africa policy. According to SIPRI data, Algeria allocates more than 5 percent of its GDP to military expenditures, and Russia is one of  the top three exporters of security equipment to the country. Russia is an important security partner for Algeria, and Algeria is an important regional partner for Russia, as cemented by the recent visit of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Moscow on  June 14, 2023.

Dynamics of a bilateral relationship
In recent years, Algeria has attached great importance to joint production and a range of suppliers when it comes to security equipment imports. The country buys significant amounts from Russia, China, Turkiye, France, and India. But its relationship with Russia has developed beyond the purchase of weapons. A source close to the Algerian Presidential Office told the press that military cooperation was not even on the agenda during the recent visit and that the two leaders would focus on discussing stronger economic and technological cooperation.

Such economic and technological cooperation could include the acquisition of nuclear power. Algeria currently operates two nuclear research reactors and has plans to build more. In addition, the countries of the European Union  have become closer to Algeria in terms of gas demand, as the two countries are rich in natural gas resources and Western countries have imposed sanctions on Moscow due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Cultural ties were also on the agenda. During Tebboune’s visit to Russia, Putin pointed out that Russia inaugurated a square named after the Algerian national hero Emir Abdelkader in Moscow. Not only is this a sign of Russia getting friendly with Algeria, but it’s also a message to France: Abdelkader fought against France’s colonial invasion of Algeria in the 18^th century.

BRICS Agenda
One of the highlights of Tebboune’s visit to Russia was Algeria’s request to join the BRICS economic grouping of emerging economies. Algeria’s BRICS membership has the potential to offer significant opportunities for its economy and is one of the foreign policy priorities of the Tebboune administration.

BRICS membership could offer new trade and economic alternatives for Algeria, which has weak local integration with its neighbouring countries. Its neighbour, Morocco, has developed strong political and economic ties with the US, France, and the Gulf countries. Possible BRICS membership for Algeria would offer the country significant regional leadership and economic opportunities.

Both Russia and China, two of the leading BRICS countries, have publicly expressed their support for Algeria’s membership, and Brazil and South Africa are also thought to be supportive of the move.

Libya and the Sahel agenda
One of the main topics of discussion during Tebboune’s visit to Russia was the regional crisis on Algeria’s doorstep. These are the  ongoing political crisis in Libya and the mobilisation of non-state actors and terrorist groups in the Sahel region. In his press statement following the talks, President Tebboune emphasised the importance of the Libyan issue, calling it a “brother country” of Russia and Algeria and saying its stabilisation is a priority for both countries. Tebboune also emphasised his support for  strong relations between Mali and Russia. Russia is an actor with considerable influence in both the Sahel and Libya. Especially in recent years, Russia’s influence in Mali and Burkina Faso has been increasing. In this sense, Tebboune’s visit to Russia focuses on ways to resolve these crises and ensure regional stability.

Algeria is likely to support Russia at the United Nations in votes about the future of Libya. As a matter of fact, one of Russia’s most important aims in the Libyan crisis is to continue to be a dominant actor in Europe’s gas demand. Since the Libyan issue is an international crisis and Algeria has deepening relations with Moscow, it is a reasonable outcome that Russia and Algeria assess the Libyan case on  platforms such as the UN as one of the new venues of shared commitments and interests. Both Russia and Algeria, as significant natural gas producing nations, may seek to influence oil and natural gas production in Libya. Their primary objective is to prevent Libya from becoming an alternative energy source for Europe, which  heavily relies on energy supplies from Russia. Algeria has previously supported Libya’s Western-backed government and adopted a pro-stability stance due to the potential terrorism and security issues along its borders. It may now incline towards closer alignment with Russia regarding energy policies in the foreseeable future.

The recent developments surrounding the Wagner Group, following the brief rebellion of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, may draw Russia further into the region. The potential transformation of the group into an officially recognised entity of the Russian state or its dissolution and replacement with regular troops could formalise Russia's involvement in the region. The Wagner Group has been active in Libya and, at one point, had 2,000 fighters around Tripoli.  

Defining the relationship
For Algeria, the visit to Russia was based on a pragmatic and entrepreneurial new foreign policy approach. Through engagement, Algeria is consolidating its regional power in the Arab and African worlds against the Moroccan-Western alliance. It wants to build on its existing security-centred relationship with Russia to support its economic and diplomatic initiatives in parallel with this goal.  Russia’s erecting of a statue of Emir Abdelkader and Algeria's allowing Russia Today to broadcast within its borders are indications of both sides desires to deepen their relationship.  

For Russia, Algeria is strategically important in the rivalry between the West and the East in international politics and the Maghreb region. With Morocco establishing close relations with Western actors, it makes sense for Algeria to get closer to Russia and China, but it runs the risk of increasing regional tensions.

This article was published on LSE on July 27, 2023, with the title “Algeria wants deeper relations with Russia”