Nigeria, Niger sign security deal, despite rift
30 August 2024 |
12:41 am
Nigeria and Niger have signed a deal on security, the Nigerian military said, yesterday, despite tension between the neighbours since a military coup d’etat in Niger a year ago. “Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security,” a Nigerian military statement revealed after…
Nigeria and Niger have signed a deal on security, the Nigerian military said, yesterday, despite tension between the neighbours since a military coup d’etat in Niger a year ago.
“Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security,” a Nigerian military statement revealed after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the country’s defence chiefs in Niamey, Niger capital, on Wednesday.
Ties between the two countries soured after Niger’s junta toppled Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023 coup, which also split the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raising questions about the fight against Islamist violence in the region.
ECOWAS, led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, threatened to invade Niger, if diplomatic efforts to restore the democratic government failed, prompting Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to pull out of the 15-country bloc in January.
They said ECOWAS had failed to help them tackle Islamist violence, signing a military agreement to form a parallel body, the Alliance of Sahel States.
Niger has remained in a Nigeria-led Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, but has kept its activities to a minimum.
Under the deal signed this week, Niger “reaffirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the MNJTF,” the Nigerian military stated.
Yesterday, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, led a high-level delegation to Niger Republic as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. The visit came against the backdrop of a hitherto frosty relationship between the two countries, linked by common security challenges and a recent history of political tensions.
During the meeting, Musa discussed regional security issues with his Nigerien counterpart, particularly in light of the ongoing threat posed by terrorist groups operating in the Sahel region.
The chiefs of the two armies reaffirmed their commitment to join forces to counter the spread of the criminal groups. This visit takes place against the background of a gradual thaw in relations between Niger and its neighbours, particularly after the period of high tension following the coup in Niger in July 2023.
ECOWAS military option to restore constitutional order was eventually discarded, leaving room for diplomacy and lifting of economic sanctions against Niger.
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