By Uche Amunike
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has visited Niamey, Wednesday, on an official working visit at the joint initiative of both countries.
He was received by the Niger Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Sangaré, after which he was treated to a warm reception that underscored the longstanding relations between Niger and Nigeria.
According to a joint communique by both ministers, discussions held between them were held ‘in a spirit of brotherhood that characterises the warm and friendly relations that have always existed between the peoples of the two countries,” focusing on deepening cooperation and addressing shared challenges at the bilateral, regional, and international levels.’
The communique added: ‘Some of the concerns raised were the renewed commitment to revitalize the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, which would further consolidate the gains made so far.’
‘Furthermore, the two parties emphasized the need to strengthen economic cooperation especially in operationalization of cross-border markets, trade and energy, the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi railway, the construction of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic, Bilateral Air Services, local bilateral committees, micro-diplomacy, tariffs and taxes, desertification, good neighborliness policies, migration, tourism, education, new information and communication technologies, agriculture and livestock farming, and infrastructure.’
‘In this regard, the two Ministers agreed to cooperate and follow up on these issues through the NNJC as soon as possible.’
Both parties harped on the need for good neighborliness, local bilateral committees and micro-diplomacy to tackle grassroots concerns and promote sustainable development.
On the issue of security, they both agreed that the terrorist threats along their shared border has greatly hindered development efforts.
The joint statement noted that both the Nigerian and Nigerien ministers recommended that the Ministries of Defence of both countries should continue their security cooperation.
They also both proposed the establishment of a joint consultative forum out of recognition for the need for broader and more structured dialogue. This, the two ministers agreed, would bring together, stakeholders from both nations to collectively tackle common challenges and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
As the visit came to an end, they both praised the quality of the relations between Nigeria and Niger, while reiterating their determination to enhance bilateral cooperation that align with the aspirations of their citizens.
Sangare thanked Ambassador Tuggar for his visit and expressed the appreciation of the leadership of Niger and its citizens, while Tuggar extended an invitation to Minister Sangare to pay a visit to Nigeria. This invitation was accepted by Sangaré and was assured by Tuggar that the date of the visit would be arranged through diplomatic channels.
Recall that the Republic of Niger, after a coup d’état on July 26, 2023 came under military rule, after the presidential guard led by general Abdourahamane Tchiani overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, citing deteriorating security and poor governance.
This coup was widely condemned internationally, especially by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which called for the reinstatement of democratic rule and even imposed sanctions in response.
In reaction, the new military leadership of Niger showed more defiance by suspending cooperation with ECOWAS, accusing it of foreign influence and bias. Alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, who were also under military rule, Niger announced its withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024.
The three nations formed a new alliance called Alliance of Sahel States, citing mutual defense and sovereignty over regional integration with ECOWAS.
Niger also changed its official travel documents as part of their way of distancing themselves from ECOWAS. They stopped issuing the standard ECOWAS biometric passports which has so far, symbolized regional unity and freedom of movement in West Africa. Currently, they issue a new national passport separate from the ECOWAS framework.
