Nigera’s Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Wednesday, met with Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces General Moussa Salaou Barmou, in Niamey, Republic of Niger to forge a common goal towards deepening the fraternal bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger and exploring opportunities to enhance security cooperation.
In a recent statement, Brigadier General Tukar Gusau, the Defence spokesman, detailed a significant meeting between Nigeria and Niger aimed at enhancing their strategic partnership and addressing mutual security challenges. Both parties recognized the critical need for sustained dialogue and collaboration to effectively tackle these issues and strengthen their cooperation.
The meeting underscored the importance of expanding existing collaborations, which include joint military operations, intelligence sharing, and tactical coordination. This cooperative approach is seen as essential for addressing the region’s security concerns, particularly the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The Defence Chiefs highlighted the profound impact that the widespread availability of these weapons has on regional instability and conflict. To counter this threat, they agreed to intensify efforts to curb the illicit flow of arms and to improve border security.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability, with Nigeria emphasizing its dedication to maintaining good neighbourly relations and ensuring that its actions do not destabilize Niger or any neighboring countries.
In response, Niger expressed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJT), showcasing a mutual commitment to strengthening regional security.
Looking ahead, the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces has been invited to visit Nigeria to finalize the details of their cooperation. During this visit, they will establish a Nigerien advisory group to work alongside a Nigerian counterpart.
This new advisory group will focus on addressing various mutual concerns and sustaining effective communication between the two countries. The creation of this group is aimed at developing measures to enhance bilateral relationships and ensure ongoing cooperation.
