Niger, Nigeria renew security ties amidst post-coup tensions

Nigeria and Niger have agreed to bolster their security cooperation, despite ongoing strains following Niger’s military coup last year.

In a military statement released on August 29, Nigeria announced that its defence chiefs had signed a memorandum of understanding in Niamey, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing regional stability and security, Caliber.Az reports citing French media sources. 

Relations between the two nations deteriorated after Niger’s junta ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. The coup disrupted the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), raising concerns about the region's capacity to address Islamist violence.

Ecowas had previously threatened military intervention if diplomatic efforts to restore Niger’s democratic government failed. Nigeria’s army chief, General Christopher Musa, expressed readiness to act if Ecowas called for intervention, asserting confidence in achieving success.

The prospect of such intervention led Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to withdraw from Ecowas in January. These Sahel nations then formed the Alliance of Sahel States, citing Ecowas’s inadequacy in addressing Islamist threats.

Despite the fallout, Niger has continued its participation in a Nigeria-led multinational joint task force against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, though with reduced involvement.

Under the new agreement, Niger has pledged to resume full participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force. The leaders of Nigeria and Niger's armed forces are expected to convene again soon in Abuja to further solidify their security collaboration.