The Algerian presidential elections resulted in the re-election of incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune with 84.30% of the vote. This outcome consolidates Tebboune’s leadership both in domestic politics and on the international stage. His re-election holds significant importance for the future of the strategic cooperation and relations between Türkiye and Algeria. The ties between Türkiye and Algeria date back to the Ottoman period, and today these historical bonds have evolved into a more profound and strategic relationship, encompassing political, economic, security, and socio-cultural dimensions. Tebboune’s administration, with its prioritisation of energy and infrastructure projects, offers new opportunities for Turkish investments and the presence of Turkish companies in Algeria. Cooperation in infrastructure and natural resources forms the foundation of economic relations, while defence industry, technology transfer, and counterterrorism are critical aspects of the partnership. Tebboune’s second term may further strengthen Türkiye’s multifaceted policies in Africa, particularly with Algeria, potentially elevating the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.
The September 7 Elections: Tebboune’s Second Term Opportunities and Challenges
In the elections held on September 7, Tebboune faced two main competitors: Abdelaali Hassani Cherif (9.56%) and Youssef Usushi (6.14%). Both candidates raised allegations of irregularities after the results were announced, criticising the turnout figures reported by the Algerian National Independent Election Authority (L'Autorité nationale indépendante des élections – ANIE). Hassani’s campaign team claimed that in some regions, votes were cast in bulk, inflating the results. However, ANIE reassured the Algerian people and the candidates that the process was transparent, with no evidence of manipulation. The voter turnout was announced at around 46.10%, suggesting that a significant portion of the population chose not to participate in the electoral process, indicating a widespread disengagement from politics in Algerian society.
On the other hand, Algeria’s economy remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbon resources, positioning it as a strategic actor in Europe’s energy security. The rise in energy prices following the Russia-Ukraine war has further consolidated Algeria’s strategic importance. Energy exports constitute the bulk of Algeria’s foreign revenues and are considered the primary source of economic growth. However, this dependence has limited economic diversification, rendering the country vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices.
With a population of nearly 50 million, the majority of whom are young, and state-provided support, Algeria has become an attractive market for foreign investors. However, for these investments to contribute to sustainable economic growth, comprehensive reforms and diversification of the economy are essential. Accelerating economic reforms, combating unemployment, and encouraging foreign investment will be key steps toward long-term economic stability during Tebboune’s second term. One of the primary challenges Tebboune faces in this regard is how to grow the economy outside the oil and gas sectors.
The goal of economic diversification, a key challenge of Tebboune’s second term, could open new opportunities for cooperation between Türkiye and Algeria. Particularly in sectors outside of oil and gas, expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries could be critical for both economic and regional dynamics. In this context, it is essential to examine how these opportunities in Türkiye-Algeria relations will develop during Tebboune’s second term.
New Horizons in Türkiye-Algeria Strategic Cooperation in Tebboune’s Second Term
The modern Türkiye-Algeria relationship is grounded in deep and multidimensional cooperation, with a historical foundation rooted in the Ottoman Empire’s legacy. The political and cultural ties established during the Ottoman presence in North Africa form the basis of today’s ongoing diplomatic and socio-cultural relations between the two countries. The traces of the Ottoman legacy in Algeria, in particular, support Türkiye’s activities in cultural diplomacy, while institutions like the Yunus Emre Institute keep this heritage alive, strengthening cultural bonds. Moreover, programs like Türkiye Scholarships, administered by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), allow young Algerians to study in Türkiye, further enhancing ties based on the two countries’ shared history. These historical ties provide a vital cultural foundation that reinforces the strategic partnership Türkiye pursues with Algeria, contributing to the development of political and economic relations.
Today, Algeria occupies a central position in Türkiye’s Africa policy, serving as a strategic partner for Türkiye in Mediterranean energy security and, more broadly, within the context of Türkiye’s North and West Africa policies. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Algeria in 2018 marked a turning point in relations. In 2022, Tebboune visited Türkiye, resulting in the signing of agreements across 15 different sectors. These agreements have strengthened Türkiye’s support for Algeria’s efforts to ensure regional security and stability, and regular high-level meetings continue to be held between the two countries. In this context, it is expected that relations between Türkiye and Algeria will continue to strengthen during Tebboune’s second term.
The economic relations between Türkiye and Algeria have seen significant growth in recent years. While the trade volume between Türkiye and Algeria was around $1.9 billion in 2020, it rose to $3.8 billion in 2023. Türkiye is one of Algeria’s largest trading partners, and Turkish companies are involved in major projects in Algeria. Turkish investments in Algeria are particularly concentrated in the construction, energy, and industrial sectors. In addition, Turkish energy companies are contributing to the development of Algeria’s oil and gas resources. Energy cooperation is thus a cornerstone of the economic relationship between the two countries. Furthermore, the agreements signed in 2022 aim to increase Türkiye’s investments in Algeria’s natural gas and renewable energy sectors. Turkish contractors are also taking a leading role in large-scale projects in Algeria. By 2023, Turkish firms’ total investments in Algeria had reached $5 billion, with expansions into sectors such as textiles, automotive, and construction.
Beyond economic relations, security cooperation between the two countries is also of critical importance. Türkiye and Algeria cooperate on counterterrorism, border security, and regional security issues. The security dynamics of North Africa, particularly the instability in Libya and the terrorism threat in the Sahel region, have made military and security cooperation between Türkiye and Algeria even more vital. Military cooperation between the two countries is further supported through the supply of defence industry products and joint military exercises. Türkiye aims to provide technology transfer to Algeria in the defence industry. Turkish defence companies export various military vehicles and defence systems to Algeria. For example, according to SIPRI data, Türkiye sold 6 Aksungur UAVs in 2022 and 12 Anka UAVs in 2023 to Algeria. Consequently, the election results in Algeria present a favourable framework for Türkiye-Algeria relations and pave the way for a stronger and more strategic partnership as part of Türkiye’s broader multi-dimensional African policy.
In conclusion, the results of the Algerian presidential elections and the re-election of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune signal a strategic period for the future of Türkiye-Algeria relations. During Tebboune’s second term, cooperation between the two countries has the potential to deepen, particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure, defence industry, and cultural diplomacy. Türkiye’s economic investments in Algeria, especially in infrastructure, energy, and industry sectors, align with Algeria’s economic growth targets. At the same time, Türkiye’s security cooperation and defence industry partnership will support Algeria’s strategic interests in North Africa and the Sahel region, where security threats persist. Tebboune’s focus on economic reforms and Türkiye’s regional policies may further strengthen the long-term strategic partnership, serving the shared interests of both countries. Thus, the election results indicate that the existing cooperation between Türkiye and Algeria will continue within a broader framework, consolidating the political, economic, and security dimensions of the relationship.
This opinion piece was published in Turkish on September 11, 2024, on the Focus Plus website under the title “Tebbun’un İkinci Dönemi: Türkiye-Cezayir İlişkilerinin Geleceği”
