Nigeria and Niger have signed a deal to boost their security cooperation, the Nigerian military said on Thursday, despite tensions between the neighbours since a coup in Niger a year ago.
"Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security," a Nigerian military statement said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the nations' defence chiefs in Niamey, Niger's capital, on Wednesday.
Ties between the two countries soured after Niger's junta toppled Mohamed Bazoum and the July 2023 coup has also split the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), raising questions about the fight against Islamist violence in the region.
ECOWAS threatened to invade Niger if diplomatic efforts to restore the democratic government failed, prompting Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to pull out of the 15-country bloc in January.
They said ECOWAS had failed to help them tackle Islamist violence, signing a military agreement to form the Alliance of Sahel States - a parallel body.
Niger has remained in a Nigeria-led multinational joint taskforce fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, but has kept its activities to a minimum.
Under the deal signed this week, it "reaffirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force", the Nigerian statement said.
Latest Stories
-
Playing with Andre Ayew a big honour – Elisha Owusu
4 mins -
GMWU mounts pressure on Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to terminate license of FGR
16 mins -
Address smuggling of canned and PET packaged beverages into Ghana – GRA told
30 mins -
Roma sack Daniele De Rossi after four games of season
30 mins -
SA star sees success under Maxwell Konadu’s guidance
35 mins -
Tomatoes in Season: A Nutritional, Economic, and Food Security Asset in Ghana
42 mins -
BoG directs banks to submit strategies aimed at reducing financial fraud
53 mins -
Prostate Health and Nutrition: How Local Foods Can Help
2 hours -
500,000 Herbalists unlicensed – Regulatory Council begins clampdown
2 hours -
Scotland agrees to host Commonwealth Games in 2026
2 hours -
Full Text: NDC’s petition to EC after demo over voter’s register
3 hours -
Dear Osagyefo God, can I talk to you about my country?
3 hours -
Eddie Nketiah scores first Palace goal in win over QPR
3 hours -
Managing Gestational Diabetes: Key Insights for Expecting Mothers
3 hours -
Fair Wages and Salaries Commission responds to NCCE division’s planned strike action
3 hours