Nigeria’s military has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the junta in neighboring Niger, marking a significant step toward “resuming and strengthening collaboration” on security matters.

This agreement comes at a time when relations between the two West African nations have been notably strained, especially in the aftermath of last year’s coup in Niger.

The statement, released on Thursday, August 26 by Nigeria’s military, confirmed that top military commanders from both countries met in Niger’s capital, Niamey, the previous day.

During the discussions, both parties emphasized their commitment to reinforcing security cooperation. “Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security,” the Nigerian military’s statement read.

Previous Rift Between Nigeria and Niger

Relations between Nigeria and Niger, which have generally been positive since the two countries gained independence, took a dramatic turn for the worse in July of last year.

The shift occurred when Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of Niger’s presidential guard, orchestrated a coup against the elected President Mohamed Bazoum, a leader he was sworn to protect.

This sudden power grab by the junta in Niger not only shook the political landscape but also altered the dynamics of the nation’s foreign relations.

In the wake of the coup, Niger’s new rulers began to distance themselves from Western allies, expelling foreign troops and seeking support from Russia instead.

This move mirrored a pattern seen in other West African nations, such as Mali and Burkina Faso, where Russian-assisted coups had taken place.

At the time, Nigeria was at the helm of the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, which responded by imposing sanctions on Niger and closing its borders.

The tensions escalated as Nigeria warned of a possible ECOWAS military intervention. However, Niger, along with Burkina Faso and Mali, eventually withdrew from ECOWAS altogether in January, forming the Alliance of Sahel States, a defensive alliance aimed at protecting their interests.

Security Alliance Signals Renewed Cooperation

Despite these challenges, the military junta in Niger did not entirely abandon its cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency along their shared border.

While Niger had significantly reduced its military involvement in the Nigerian-led task force combating the Islamist group, the new agreement indicates a potential return to more active participation.

According to Thursday’s statement from the Nigerian military, Niger has “reaffirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force.” This development is seen as a crucial move toward enhancing regional security and stability, particularly in the face of ongoing Islamist insurgencies.

The junta in Niger, like those in Mali and Burkina Faso, has justified its seizure of power by claiming it was necessary to better combat these insurgencies. However, despite their rhetoric, these military governments have struggled to achieve significant progress in their fight against extremist groups.

Compounding the challenges, Niger’s expulsion of troops and security assistance from former colonial power France and later the United States has further weakened operational capabilities in the region.

As such, as Nigeria and Niger work to rebuild their security collaboration, the region would be monitoring, hoping that this renewed cooperation will help stem the tide of violence and instability that has plagued the Sahel.