Niger Republic Summons Nigerian Envoy Over Alleged ‘Destabilisation’ Concerns

Niger’s military government has accused Nigeria of enabling actions that threaten its stability, prompting a summons of the Nigerian embassy’s charge d’affaires, according to state television in Niger.

Tensions between the two nations have persisted since Niger’s military seized power in 2023, cutting ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who leads ECOWAS, briefly considered a military intervention to reinstate Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Relations improved in August when both countries resumed security cooperation, but recent accusations have reignited hostilities.

In a statement broadcast on national television, Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare claimed Nigeria serves as a “rear base” for efforts to destabilize Niger, allegedly with support from foreign powers and allies of the deposed regime.

Sangare expressed regret over the situation, despite attempts to restore normalcy.

“Despite efforts to normalise relations, we regret that Nigeria has not given up on serving as a rear base for the destabilisation of Niger with the complicity of some foreign powers and officials of the former regime, to whom it offers refuge”, Sangare said in a statement read on national television late Thursday.

Previously, Nigeria’s military commander had agreed “not to destabilise Niger or any of its neighbours” during discussions with Niger’s army chief in August.

Niger had also indicated its willingness to actively participate in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJT), a security collaboration among Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon to combat jihadist threats in border regions.

Niger continues to battle insurgencies linked to Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State group in the Tillaberi and Diffa regions.

Since the 2023 coup, Niger has strengthened alliances with Mali and Burkina Faso, forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to deepen regional cooperation among their military governments.

KanyiDaily recalls that ECOWAS had given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger a six-month deadline, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to leave the regional group.