Defense officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are scheduled to convene in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Wednesday to discuss the recent military coup in Niger.
The regional bloc had previously issued a warning, giving Niger’s new rulers one week to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum before considering the use of force. In response, the military government has announced the re-opening of Niger’s borders with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Chad.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who leads the regional superpower, views the military coup in neighboring Niger as a crucial test for democracy in West Africa. The coup’s implications are particularly significant for Nigeria due to their shared border, stretching over 1,500km (930 miles), and their strong cultural and trade ties dating back to the pre-colonial era when both were part of the Sokoto caliphate.
Security interests are also intertwined as both countries face challenges from the Boko Haram group. A joint military force comprising troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon has been actively combating the group. The force’s strategic and technical partners include the UK, the US, and France, with the latter two maintaining military bases in Niger.
Overnight, the first of three French planes dispatched to evacuate European citizens arrived back in Paris with more than 250 people on board. This evacuation comes after demonstrators attacked the French embassy on Sunday. Italy has also conducted evacuation operations, transporting dozens of its nationals as well as other European and American citizens.
