West Africa’s regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States, has strongly defended Nigeria following accusations by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, alleging that Nigeria was plotting to destabilise its neighbour.
In a televised Christmas Day address, Tchiani claimed Nigeria had provided sanctuary to two French nationals expelled from Niger for alleged anti-government activities. He also accused France of using Nigeria as a base to arm terror groups in the Lake Chad region to foment unrest in Niger.
“Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move,” Tchiani alleged. “It is near a forest close to Sokoto where they wanted to establish a terrorist stronghold known as Lakurawa.” He further claimed, “The French and ISWAP made this deal on March 4, 2024,” referring to the jihadist group Islamic State West Africa Province.
Earlier in December, Niger’s foreign ministry had summoned Nigeria’s charge d’affaires, accusing Nigeria of serving as a base for efforts to destabilise the country.
ECOWAS, however, firmly rejected the allegations. “For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security of several countries not only in the West African subregion but also on the African continent,” the bloc stated in a release issued late Thursday.
“ECOWAS therefore refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state-sponsor of terrorism,” the statement added.
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, issued a separate response on Thursday, dismissing Tchiani’s claims and reaffirming Nigeria’s peaceful stance. “Nigeria has no alliance with France or any other country to destabilise Niger,” he said, noting the strained relationship between the two nations since Tchiani seized power in a July 2023 coup.
Niger’s military leaders have distanced themselves from ECOWAS, partly due to rising anti-French sentiments. Following the coup, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs ECOWAS, briefly considered a regional military intervention to restore Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.
Despite these tensions, Idris emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to dialogue and regional peace. “Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges,” he affirmed.
The accusations come amidst growing instability in the region, but ECOWAS and Nigeria have reiterated their dedication to peace and security, rejecting any claims of fostering unrest in neighbouring countries.
