The hostility between West African countries Nigeria and Niger Republic might cease in the coming days as President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with Niger.
The borders connecting the two neighboring countries were closed in August 2023 following a military coup in Niger which saw democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum ousted and locked up.
The Nigerien government has also imposed other far-reaching sanctions on Niger Republic, including cutting off electricity supply to the country to persuade the military junta led by Omar Tchiani, who was previously the head of the presidential guards, to free the detained Bazoum and members of his family, as well as returning to constitutional order.
Tchiani has remained defiant. He teamed up with other military governments in the region to guard his territory and recently announced Niger’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The standoff between David and Goliath is over. Tinubu spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, declared that all sanctions on Niger be “lifted immediately.”
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
