The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has thrown its support behind Nigeria in the wake of accusations from Niger Republic alleging acts of destabilization and interference.
The claims, led by Niger’s military leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani and Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare, include allegations of Nigeria’s involvement in the December 13 sabotage of the Niger-Benin oil pipeline and purported collusion with France to undermine Niger’s stability.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly rejected the accusations, calling them baseless and irrational. Highlighting Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to regional development, the ministry pointed to collaborative projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway as evidence of its positive engagement with Niger.
“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination,” the ministry asserted, emphasizing that Nigeria has not engaged in any alliance with France—or any other nation—for acts of sabotage or terrorism.
In a statement from Abuja, ECOWAS dismissed Niger’s allegations, reiterating Nigeria’s dedication to peace and stability in West Africa. The bloc praised Nigeria’s leadership role in initiatives like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which combats terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin, as a clear testament to its commitment to regional security.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since the military coup in Niger in July 2023, which ousted the country’s democratic government. As ECOWAS Chair, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proposed deploying the regional bloc’s military force, ECOMOG, to restore democracy in Niger. This proposal was met with opposition from Niger’s allies, Burkina Faso and Mali, who subsequently withdrew from ECOWAS in protest.
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ECOWAS responded by imposing sanctions on Niger, although these were later lifted. Nonetheless, Niger’s leadership has continued to levy accusations against Nigeria, with General Tchiani recently alleging that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilize his country.
Despite the allegations, Nigeria has maintained its support for Niger’s development through joint projects aimed at fostering economic cooperation. These efforts, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued, directly contradict claims of sabotage.
“Nigeria’s contributions to Niger’s development speak louder than these baseless claims,” the ministry emphasized.
Amid the rising tensions, ECOWAS has called for a renewed focus on regional stability and collaboration. The bloc urged all parties to prioritize addressing critical security and economic challenges over making unsubstantiated allegations.
The ongoing discord underscores the fragile nature of regional cohesion in West Africa, as ECOWAS and its member states navigate the complexities of diplomacy, governance, and security in a turbulent political landscape.
