Nigeria’s Defence Chief Visits Niger Republic to Discuss Security Collaboration

•Meeting comes after standoff between both ECOWAS countries

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, yesterday 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 hitherto frosty relations 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. 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, had 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 is be part of ECOWAS’s diplomatic efforts to persuade Niger and the other two countries to re-join the organisation, just months before their decision to withdraw comes into force.

Musa’s visit to his Niger Republic counterpart, Gen. Mousa Salou Barmo is seen as an attempt to seek collaboration  in tackling insecurity and other related matters in West African region

 The Nigerian defence chief, who is Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Defence Chiefs, had during a recent meeting in Abuja, called for the return of the three countries to the regional bloc.

Musa said that the return of the three countries to the regional bloc was necessary to defeat the insecurity ravaging the region, especially insurgency.

He said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that the three countries were back, adding that all hands must be on deck to curtail insecurity in West Africa, with yesterday’s visit to Niamey, not unconnected with the call for the return of the nations to the ECOWAS.

The visit seeks to encourage the military junta in charge of Niger Republic to renew ties with countries in the West African bloc, ECOWAS, since the bloodless coup in 2023 that led to military takeover of power in the country.

In March 2024, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

The directive was in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Also in a statement late yesterday, Defence spokesman, Brig. Gen. Tukar Gusau, said during the meeting, both parties recognised the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration in addressing mutual security challenges and strengthening the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Niger.

“They emphasised the need for maintaining and expanding existing cooperation, including joint military operations, intelligence sharing, and tactical coordination.

“The defence chiefs acknowledged the significant impact of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons on security. They also recognised that the widespread accessibility of these weapons contributes to heightened instability and conflict in the region.

“They further agreed to intensify their efforts in curbing the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons, while pledging to collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing border security and supporting regional and international efforts to control and reduce the spread of these weapons.

“Consequently, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security, reaffirmed that Nigeria is universally known for adherence to its principle of good neighbourliness and would not be used to destabilise Niger or any of Nigeria’s contiguous countries. Niger affirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJT).

“The Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces has also accepted the invitation from the CDS to visit Nigeria, where they will finalise the modalities of the cooperation agreed upon.

“This is while agreeing on the creation of a Nigerien advisory group to interface with its Nigerian counterpart, with the view to addressing the various issues of mutual concern as well as sustain lines of communications between both countries.

“ It was also agreed that the advisory groups should have a joint mandate of developing measures towards strengthening bilateral relationships,” the statement added.

THISDAY learnt that a Nigerian government Bombardier Challenger 605 with registration number: 5N-FGZ arrived at Niamey Airport yesterday in the morning, having flown in from Abuja.

Musa was received by his namesake and the Chief of Staff of the Forces Armees Nigeriennes (FAN), or Niger Armed Forces, Moussa Barmou.

“We came to seek cooperation. Soldiers are not politicians. Our job is that of defending our respective territorial integrity. So, our discussion centred around how to enhance the mutual defence of our countries. Nigeria and Niger are brothers. We have been relating, working and training together for years.

“Although there has been hiatus in our relationship, we’re here to ensure that we pick up from where we left. The fact of the matter is that for now bygones are bygones.

“Since morning we have been engaged in talks and we have reviewed all that happened from last year to date. We, therefore, decided that we should rekindle our relationship and return to where we were before now. We took cognisance of lack of strategic communication has been exacerbating the rift network us.

“There is no animosity between us. We’re aware of people that are trying to tear us apart. The aim of these detractors is to see us at war, but we are one. We would not allow them to succeed in their ploy to divide us. We want to continue working together so that our two countries can know enduring peace.

“We will continue on the path of peace pact from where we left. We’re convinced that our past engagement was constructive and we desire to toe that line. That was the desiderata of this meeting. We have resolved to work together. There should be no schisms between us. We would also not also interference in the internal affairs of each other, just as we would not allow any foreign meddling.

“We thank God for this diplomatic feat. We want to reaffirm to military government of Niger Republic that we remain steadfast in cooperating with them. Niger and Nigeria remain united. Our historical amity cannot be torpedoed by rabble rousers, who are  bent on making us enemies, under any guise.

“We appeal to the Nigerien and Chadian governments not to allow any foreigner to come between us. They should avoid lies and hypocrisy from any quarters,” a translation of the Nigerian defence chief’s interview on the sidelines of the event stated.

Also during the exchange, the Chief of Staff of the Armies of the Niger, Barmou stated that despite the differences that may have existed between the two states, the current global and sub-regional geopolitical and security context imposes further strengthening of relations.

He underscored the need to have a comprehensive reading of security issues to not only address the current security situation effectively but also to anticipate the major challenges ahead.

He explained that he remained confident that the visit will create conditions for good understanding and will mark a major turning point in relations between the two armies of the two countries.