Nigeria-Niger diplomatic ties safer, stronger together
How Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and Defence Headquarters are Brokering Peace between Nigeria and Niger Republic
By Zagazola Makama
On July 26, 2023, the Presidential Guard in Niger launched a coup, detaining President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. The National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), a military junta, seized control and announced its takeover on national television. The coup was met with mixed reactions: initial demonstrations supporting Bazoum were quickly dispersed by mutinous soldiers, while subsequent rallies in favor of the CNSP gained traction.
By the following day, the Nigerien Armed Forces had sided with the CNSP, citing a desire to avoid bloodshed and ensure the safety of President Bazoum and his family. This swift military support underscored the deep fractures within Niger’s political landscape. The international community, led by the United States, France, the European Union, and ECOWAS, was quick to condemn the coup, urging for the restoration of constitutional order.
ECOWAS, in a stern response at an emergency summit in Abuja, threatened military intervention and imposed economic sanctions to pressure the junta to reinstate Bazoum. The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) also implemented sanctions and froze Nigerien state assets. Nigeria, a regional powerhouse and Niger’s close neighbor, further escalated tensions by closing its borders, aligning itself firmly with ECOWAS’ stance. This action significantly strained the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Niger, undermining established security agreements between the two nations.
The situation became even more complicated as a rift developed within the region. Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali openly supported the Nigerien junta, refusing to apply sanctions. In a dramatic escalation, Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint statement warning that any military intervention in Niger would be considered an act of war, signaling a potential fragmentation of the West African bloc.
This geopolitical divide has left the region precariously balanced on the edge of further instability among the West African bloc, as the region teeters on the brink of instability. The fate of Niger, and the future of regional cooperation has continued to hang in the balance following the chains of events since July.
Nigeria’s Diplomatic Efforts
In an attempt to resolve the crisis, Nigeria launched a series of diplomatic initiatives. High-profile delegations, including a religious group and a mission led by respected statesman General Abdulsalami Abubakar, were dispatched to engage with Niger’s leadership. Despite these efforts, progress was hindered by a lack of coordination among Nigeria’s various stakeholders, resulting in limited success.
Recognizing the need for a more cohesive approach, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tugger, with the approval of the President, established an Advisory Group to harmonize Nigeria’s strategy. The group was composed of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Headquarters, leveraging expertise from the Chief of Defence Staff’s Advisory Team on Non-Kinetic Strategies for Winning Peace in Nigeria. This team included retired senior officers with extensive experience in West African military operations, such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and other strategic deployments.
A key member of the CDS team who was in the forefront of the initiative since February 2024, is Hon Aliyu Gebi, a former member of the ECOWAS Parliament and currently the Special Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff on Non-Kinetics.
Building Trust and Dialogue
The Advisory Group’s mandate was clear: to engage informally with Niger’s military junta, fostering short-term Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) and identifying Zones of Possible Agreements (ZOPAs) to set the stage for further engagement. Operating under the supervision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Aliyu Gebi, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the group aimed to lay the groundwork for more structured diplomatic discussions.
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The Advisory Group understood the enormity of the task ahead, given the entrenched positions and the determination of the junta leaders. In their meetings, they committed to driving the process toward a bilateral reconciliation between Nigeria and Niger. They emphasized the importance of diplomacy in achieving this goal and developed a roadmap for implementing an informal back channel with Niger’s ruling junta. This included identifying trusted intermediaries to facilitate diplomatic outreach.
Key among the planned initiatives was a visit by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to engage with his counterpart in Niger, reaffirming Niger’s commitment to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and other collaborative security efforts. The Advisory Group also proposed involving former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, leveraging his regional respect to encourage dialogue and cooperation.
Diplomatic Engagements in Niamey
The Advisory Group made an exploratory visit to Niger from August 14th to 18th, 2024, engaging with the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission and other key stakeholders. The mission aimed to initiate Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) and establish dialogue platforms to ease tensions and restore the historically strong relationship between the two countries.
During the visit, the group met with Nigerien Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, H.E. Ibrahim Yacoubou, and other influential figures. These discussions highlighted the need to repair relations at the highest political levels, addressing mutual suspicions and rebuilding trust.
The stakeholders recognized the long-standing ties between Nigeria and Niger, including cultural affinities, intermarriages, trade, and shared borders. However, they also noted that the presence of former Nigerien government officials in Nigeria, allegedly attempting to destabilize Niger, had exacerbated tensions.
To address these challenges, the Advisory Group proposed several Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), including forming a similar advisory group in Niger, organizing a Cross-Border Security Workshop, and providing humanitarian aid in the form of food and medicine. They also suggested initiating high-level dialogues to reduce suspicion and rebuild trust, as well as strengthening engagements under the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission.
Despite the complex situation, Nigerien officials expressed their commitment to normalizing relations with Nigeria. However, they emphasized that Nigeria must sustain high-level dialogue and engagement to reduce suspicion and rebuild trust.
High Hopes as Gen Musa Leads Defence Team to Niamey
As part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, led a delegation to Niamey to further bilateral engagements. Accompanied by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, and other officers, Gen. Musa was warmly received by his Nigerien counterpart, General Mousa Salou Barma.
During the visit, Gen. Musa underscored the deep-rooted relationship between Nigeria and Niger, built on cultural ties, security cooperation, trade, and a shared border. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration, noting that shared history and common goals far outweigh any points of contention.
Gen. Musa highlighted the need for continued and expanded partnerships in joint military operations, intelligence sharing, and tactical coordination to effectively combat terrorism, banditry, and transnational threats in the Lake Chad region. He also urged the Nigerien government to resume full participation in the MNJTF, stressing the importance of reinvigorating military cooperation and intelligence sharing.
The Nigerian Defence Chief’s reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the two countries. There is optimism that this engagement will serve as a catalyst for renewed collaboration, paving the way for future successes in joint efforts to secure peace and stability for both nations.
Looking Ahead
As the situation unfolds, the fractured alliance between Nigeria and Niger may be receiving a healing balm. Can these efforts revive a relationship crucial to regional security and stability? Will this stealth diplomatic step also provide a leeway to broader reconciliation with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea? Only time will tell.
*Zagazola Makama is a counter insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region.
