Relations between Nigeria and its neighbour Niger continue to unravel since last year’s coup which swept Abdourahmane Tchiani to power.
The latest example of how deep the suspicion has been is the military junta’s decision last Wednesday to summon a Nigerian diplomat in Niamey to denounce what Niger called acts of destabilisation ostensibly from Nigeria.
The continuing sanctions from Ecowas, one of the continent’s biggest regional groupings have not helped heal strained ties and remove suspicion with which the junta views Nigeria.
Observers say sanctions are the lightning rods which continue to exacerbate tensions between Niger and Nigeria, two countries which share a common cultural heritage.
Niger’s foreign affairs minister summoned Nigeria’s chargé d’affaires to discuss bilateral tensions that have been heightened since 2023 despite efforts at normalising relations.
Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré met the chargé d’affaires of the Nigerian embassy in Niger, in the absence of the Nigerian ambassador, according to national television Télé Sahel.
Their meeting took place against the backdrop of strained bilateral relations marked by suspicion of acts of sabotage and a feeling of bad blood which the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland says comes from its neighbour to the south.
The CNSP came to power in Niger following a coup on July 26, 2023 and immediately set it on a collision course with the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) Authority of Heads of State and Government, chaired by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who issued a threat of military intervention from the bloc if those leading the junta in Niamey refused to relinquish power and return to barracks. It was a bluff the military rulers in Niamey rebuffed with a vow to defend Niger’s territorial integrity. This belligerent rhetoric on both sides set the tone for difficult relations between Niger and Ecowas led by Nigeria. More than a year later, the threat of a military intervention had dissipated into thin air but Niger in a show of defiance announced with neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, also ruled by military juntas that they were quitting the bloc which they accused of being used by France, a former colonial power in the region. They have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States known by its French acronym AES.
Despite Nigeria and Ecowas members watering down their bellicose rhetoric, relations have not showed signs of improving with Niger whose head of diplomacy Sangare warned that his country would resist any aggression.
He also stressed the commitment of the CNSP junta to promote good relations with all states, based on the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs.
Minister Sangaré praised the historical and geographical ties between Niger and Nigeria, two countries facing tensions exacerbated by sanctions from Ecowas and an ever receding threat of military intervention engineered by Abuja.
Despite this climate of mistrust, Sangare said Niger has attempted to initiate a normalisation of relations, notably through exchanges of high-level delegations, including the recent visit of the Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Last August, the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of Niger and Nigeria met in Niamey to strengthen military cooperation between their countries. Their exchanges focused on the fight against Boko Haram which continues to blight countries in the Lake Chad Basin, the control of small arms and border security.
A memorandum of understanding on security cooperation was signed on this occasion, demonstrating the common desire to combat terrorism and cross-border trafficking.
However, the Nigerien official expressed concern to the Nigerian diplomat over what he sees as Nigeria’s continued support for acts aimed at destabilising Niger. He referred to reports of alleged involvement of the Nigerian security apparatus in attacks on the Niger-Benin pipeline and collaboration with former exiled Nigerien officials accused of subversive acts.
Niger alleges that Nigeria has links to the building of military camps in Gigani and Gidan Kata, near the border.
While condemning the subversive nature of supporting such bases, Niger’s would guard against any untoward encroachment on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, guarantee the security of its population and cooperate with all countries committed to peace and mutual respect, the minister says.
WN/as/APA