The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has shown its solidarity with Nigeria amidst allegations of destabilization by neighboring Niger Republic. Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangare, pointed fingers at the Nigerian government for complicity in the sabotage of the Niger-Benin oil pipeline in Gaya on December 13. Additionally, Nigerien military leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani accused Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of collaborating with France to destabilize Niger Republic.
However, Nigeria vehemently denied these accusations, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeling them as baseless. ECOWAS has also rallied behind Nigeria, dismissing claims of sponsoring terrorism as groundless. In a statement issued in Abuja, the regional body reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability and stood firmly with Nigeria and other member states against these allegations. ECOWAS highlighted Nigeria’s dedication to peace and security across Africa, particularly noting the achievements of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) led by Nigeria.
In the aftermath of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the ECOWAS bloc, Niger accused Nigeria of acting against the will of its people and suggested that Western powers were involved in a plot with harmful intentions for the region. Following a military takeover in Niger, President Bola Tinubu, as ECOWAS leader, contemplated deploying the ECOWAS military unit (ECOMOG) to restore power in Niger. However, Burkina Faso and Mali opposed this move, leading to Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries imposing sanctions on Niger after a coup in July 2023. Although the sanctions were later lifted, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger, claimed in a recent interview that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilize his country. Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangare, expressed disappointment in Nigeria’s alleged actions, stating, “Despite efforts to normalize relations, we regret that Nigeria has not given up on serving as a rear base for the destabilization of Niger, with the complicity of some foreign powers and officials of the former regime, to whom it offers refuge.”
In response, Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, refuted the allegations, stating that Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance with France or any other country to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize Niger Republic. The Nigerian government dismissed Niger’s accusations of sabotaging pipelines and agriculture as unfounded and counterproductive. Idris emphasized Nigeria’s support for Niger’s development through joint projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway, highlighting the illogical nature of suggesting Nigeria would undermine initiatives it actively promotes.
