Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has paid a working visit to Niamey, Niger Republic’s capital, in a bid to ease tensions between the two nations.
The visit marks a significant diplomatic gesture aimed at strengthening bilateral relations strained since the July 2023 coup in Niger.
Background
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under President Bola Tinubu’s chairmanship, imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order.
This led to a cooling of diplomatic ties, border closures, and suspension of cooperative efforts. The situation worsened when the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) imposed a 0.5% import duty on goods from ECOWAS member nations.
Key Outcomes
The meeting between Tuggar and his Nigerien counterpart, Bakary Sangaré, focused on:
- Revitalizing Bilateral Cooperation: Renewed commitment to the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC) to consolidate gains made so far.
- Economic Cooperation: Strengthening ties in cross-border markets, trade, energy, and infrastructure development, including:
- Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Railway: Enhancing regional connectivity.
- Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline: Promoting energy cooperation.
- Trans-Saharan Highway and Fiber Optic: Improving transportation and communication networks.
- Security Cooperation: Tackling terrorism along shared borders through continued defence ministry collaboration.
Next Steps
The two ministers agreed to increase mutual exchanges, regular meetings, and visits. Tuggar invited Sangaré to visit Nigeria, which was accepted, with dates to be communicated through diplomatic channels.
This development signals a positive step towards mending strained relations and fostering closer ties between Nigeria and Niger.