ABUJA, Nigeria
Despite strained relations following last year’s coup in Niger, Nigeria and Niger have signed a new security cooperation agreement.
Announced by the Nigerian army
on Thursday, the accord aims to bolster regional stability and security.
"Both parties reaffirmed
their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration for regional
stability and security," stated a Nigerian army communiqué following the
signing of the memorandum of understanding by defense chiefs from both countries
in Niamey, Niger's capital, on Wednesday.
The coup in July 2023, which
ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, strained relations between Nigeria and
Niger and caused divisions within the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS).
The coup raised concerns about
efforts to combat Islamist violence in the region.
ECOWAS had threatened military
intervention in Niger if diplomatic efforts to restore the democratic
government failed, prompting Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to withdraw from the
15-member bloc in January.
These countries criticized
ECOWAS for not aiding in their fight against Islamist violence and subsequently
formed the Alliance of Sahel States with a military agreement.
Niger, though reducing its
participation, remained part of the Nigeria-led Multinational Joint Task Force
(MNJTF) fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region.
The new agreement signals
Niger's intention to re-engage actively in security cooperation within the
MNJTF framework, according to the Nigerian communiqué.
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