Nigeria and Niger Strengthen Security Ties Despite Ongoing Tensions

Nigeria and Niger Strengthen Security Ties Despite Ongoing Tensions

Nigeria and Niger have signed a new agreement to enhance their security cooperation, the Nigerian military announced on Thursday reports Reuters. The deal, formalized through a memorandum of understanding by the defense chiefs in Niamey, aims to reinforce collaboration and promote regional stability, despite ongoing tensions following last year's coup in Niger.

August 30, 2024 4

Africa

Niger Resumes Oil Exports via Benin After Dispute

Niger has restarted crude oil exports through Benin following a dispute that previously halted the flow via a Chinese-funded pipeline according to Reuters. The conflict arose from Niger's refusal to lift a ban on imports from Benin, leading to a block on exports through the PetroChina-backed pipeline in May. Niger had subsequently shut off the pipeline flow in June.

August 22, 2024 6

Africa

Sahel Juntas Accuse Ukraine of Supporting Rebel Groups, Denounce Actions to UN Security Council

The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have lodged a complaint with the U.N. Security Council, accusing Ukraine of supporting rebel groups in the Sahel region, reports Reuters. This follows Mali's decision to cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine in early August, after comments from a Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson about recent fighting in Mali's north, which resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries. Niger's […]

August 22, 2024 23

Africa

ECOWAS Aims to Reintegrate Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into Regional Bloc

West Africa's regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, says it will continue to encourage Mali, Niger Republic and Burkina Faso to rejoin the bloc. Reporting for us is Tesem Akende from Jos.

August 12, 2024 19

Africa

U.S. Military Withdraws from Niger’s Air Base 201

The United States military has completed its withdrawal from air base 201 in Niger, following an order from Niger's ruling junta after last year's coup reports Reuters. The base, a $100 million drone facility near Agadez, had provided critical intelligence on Islamist militant groups. A joint statement from Niger's defense ministry and the U.S. military confirmed the withdrawal of personnel and equipment, with ongoing coordination to ensure the pullout is […]

August 6, 2024 5

Africa

Human rights in Niger ‘in free fall’ since coup: NGOs

Human rights in Niger are "in free fall" on the eve of the one-year anniversary of a coup that saw the military seize power, three international NGOs said Thursday. General Abdourahamane Tiani, heading the military regime, seized power on July 26 last year, after deposing elected president Mohamed Bazoum over allegations of failing to protect the West African nation from jihadist attacks. "The military authorities in […]

July 25, 2024 17

Africa

France demands ‘unconditional release’ of Niger president

France on Tuesday called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Niger's ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, almost a year after he was overthrown in a coup. Bazoum has "been held prisoner for a year in scandalous conditions", foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said. "We have always condemned this detention, we still strongly condemn it and continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release," he told reporters […]

July 23, 2024 17

Africa

West Africa is changing: five essential reads on breakaways from Ecowas

By Adejuwon Soyinka, The Conversation The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been in the news lately – mostly for the wrong reasons. The bloc is facing its biggest crisis since it was formed in 1975. Three of its 15 countries – Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali – have broken away and formed an alternative grouping, the Alliance of Sahel States. While […]

July 10, 2024 14

Africa

Senegal’s president urges dialogue with Sahel military juntas

Senegalese President and West Africa's ECOWAS "facilitator" Bassirou Diomaye Faye called Monday for dialogue and peaceful reconciliation with three countries that recently split from the bloc. The military leaders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso broke away from the Economic Community of West African States earlier this year and formed a confederation of their own on Saturday. ECOWAS heads of state met in Abuja on Sunday […]

July 8, 2024 14