A high-level delegation led by General Christopher Musa, Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces, was received in Niamey on Wednesday, August 28, as part of the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two neighbours.
The visit of the Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces to Niger on August 28, comes against a backdrop of thawing relations between the two countries, linked by common security challenges and a recent history of political tensions.
During the meeting, General Musa discussed regional security issues with his Nigerian 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 these groups.
This visit takes place against the backdrop 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. The coup saw the military seize power and oust President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order.
But this option was eventually discarded, leaving room for diplomacy. In July 2023, economic sanctions against Niger were lifted.
Today, as the security situation continues to deteriorate, the two countries seem determined to step up their military cooperation. This cooperation is all the more important as they share a border of more than 1,400 km, which is often the scene of attacks by armed terrorist groups.
The Nigerian chief of staff’s visit to Niamey could also be part of ECOWAS’s diplomatic efforts to persuade Niger and the other two ESA countries to rejoin the organisation, just months before their decision to withdraw comes into force.
MD/sf/ac/lb/GIK/APA