2nd September, 2024
By Hussaina Yakubu
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has noted that the recent visit of a high-ranking Nigerian military delegation led by Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff to Republic of Niger signifies a positive shift in the relationship between the country and Nigeria which had been strained over the past year.
ACF said this while also commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for authorising the visit of the high level military delegation to Niger Republic.
ACF in a statement issued in Kaduna by Prof . Tanko Muhammad-Baba, its National Publicity Secretary on Sunday said the it viewed the visit as a diplomatic engagement and crucial step towards restoring the historically close and warm ties between the two West African neighbours.
”The Forum recalled that tension arose between Nigeria and Niger following the military coup in the country in July 2023.
ACF further noted that in response to the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Niger’s membership and imposed a series of sanctions, with Nigeria playing a leading role by closing its borders, imposing economic restrictions, cutting off essential supplies, and threatening military intervention.
The ACF said, as the situation evolved, both ECOWAS and Nigeria opted for dialogue with the new Nigerien military regime.
“During this period, Niger forged new alliances with other West African nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, and withdrew its forces from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) combating terrorism in Northeast Nigeria”it said .
This, the forum recalled, led to a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Niger.
The forum praised Gen. Musa’s bold and patriotic remarks during the visit, describing them as a signal of strength in the pursuit of fraternal African solidarity.
The ACF urged the government and people of Niger to let bygones be bygones and work towards a renewed partnership with Nigeria.
The visit sought to encourage the military junta in charge of Niger Republic to renew ties with countries in the West African bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, since the bloodless coup in 2023 that led to military takeover of power in the country.
Gen. Musa, and the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces, Gen. Moussa Barmou, signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen regional security.
The Director of Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau said they signed the agreement on Wednesday in Niamey, Republic of Niger.
He said the agreement aims to forge a common goal towards deepening the fraternal bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger and exploring opportunities to enhance security cooperation.
He said both parties, during the meeting, recognised the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration in addressing mutual security challenges and strengthening the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Niger.
“They emphasised the need for maintaining and expanding existing cooperations, including joint military operations, intelligence sharing, and tactical coordination,” he said.
Gusau said the Defence Chiefs acknowledged the significant impact of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons on security, adding that the widespread accessibility of these weapons contributes to heightened instability and conflict in the region.
“They further agreed to intensify their efforts in curbing the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons while pledging to collaborate on initiatives to enhance border security and support regional and international efforts to control and reduce the spread of these weapons.
(NAN)
