The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly rejected the terrorism accusations leveled against Nigeria and other member states by Niger Republic, labeling the claims as “unfounded” and reaffirming its solidarity with its members.
Niger Republic had recently accused Nigeria, along with other ECOWAS nations, of conspiring with France to destabilize the country. In response, ECOWAS issued a statement on Thursday denouncing the allegations, expressing deep concern over the unfounded accusations.
“The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stands firmly behind Nigeria and its member states against these baseless claims that they are sponsoring terrorism,” the statement read.
ECOWAS emphasized that Nigeria has long been a staunch supporter of peace and security, not only in the West African subregion but across the African continent. It highlighted the country’s role in leading the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which has achieved significant successes in combating terrorism and maintaining stability in the region. The Commission further rejected any suggestion that Nigeria, a nation committed to peace, would engage in sponsoring terrorism.
The organization also urged all states in the region to promote dialogue and stability, calling for a halt to the spread of unsupported allegations.
In a related development, the Nigerian Government also denied the claims made by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria had been working with France to destabilize Niger Republic. Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described these allegations as “imaginative” and reiterated that the country has never engaged in any covert or overt alliance with France or any other nation to undermine Niger.
“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination. Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France or any other country to destabilize Niger Republic,” the statement clarified.
