Yemi Olakitan
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has come out strongly in defense of Nigeria, dismissing allegations by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria is plotting to destabilize its neighbor.In a televised Christmas Day broadcast, Tchiani accused Nigeria of harboring two French nationals expelled from Niger for alleged anti-government activities.
He also claimed that France had established a base in Nigeria to arm terror groups in the Lake Chad region, aiming to foment unrest in Niger.However, ECOWAS and Nigeria have vehemently rejected these accusations.
In a statement, ECOWAS emphasized Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to peace and security in the West African sub-region and the African continent. The regional bloc described the allegations as baseless, stating that it is unthinkable for Nigeria to sponsor terrorism given its generous and magnanimous nature.
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, also denied any alliance between Nigeria and France or any other country to destabilize Niger. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering regional stability and addressing terrorism and other transnational challenges.
The rift between Niger and Nigeria began after Tchiani seized power in a July 2023 coup. Niger’s military leaders broke away from ECOWAS amid rising anti-France sentiments. Despite this, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who heads the ECOWAS bloc, has expressed openness to dialogue with Niger.
