Algeria resumes its border trade with Mali and Niger.

On Monday, Algeria announced the resumption of border trade with the countries of Mali and Niger after years of suspension for security reasons, coinciding with the renewal of the barter trade in the southern states.

In a statement of the Cabinet meeting, Algeria confirmed the tightening of security and control measures and the possibility of embodying direct investments for the government “Naftal” company in Mali and Niger, in consultation with the authorities of the two countries, in order to reduce the phenomenon of fuel and gas smuggling.

The Cabinet stated that the new law on barter trade is exceptional and aims to facilitate the supply of residents living in the southern states, explaining that the local commodities involved in the barter trade are dates, vegetables, food pastries, fats, oils, and some tobacco and construction materials.

It is worth noting that Algeria decided in 2012 to close the land borders with the countries of Mali and Niger after armed factions took control of the northern Mali region and declared it an Islamic emirate, attacked the Algerian consulate in the city of Ghao, north of Mali, and kidnapped the diplomatic staff there.