CDS signs MoU to ‘enhance security, strengthen partnership’ with Niger Republic junta

Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), has met with Moussa Barmou, chief of staff of Niger Republic’s armed forces, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on addressing the security challenges in the region.

Tukur Gusau, director, defence information, said the meeting which held in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on Wednesday was targeted at forging a deepened bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger and exploring opportunities to enhance security cooperation.

Gusau said both security chiefs emphasised the need for maintaining and expanding existing partnerships, including joint military operations, intelligence sharing, and tactical coordination.

“The Defence Chiefs acknowledged the significant impact of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons on security,” the statement reads.

“They also recognized that the widespread accessibility of these weapons contributes to heightened instability and conflict in the region,” the director said in a statement.

“They further agreed to intensify their efforts in curbing the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons, while pledging to collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing border security and supporting regional and international efforts to control and reduce the spread of these weapons.”

According to Gusau, another outcome of the discussion assured of Nigeria’s “adherence to its principle of good neighborliness” adding that the country would “not be used to destabilise Niger” or any other border-sharing countries.

‘NIGER TO RESUME ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN MNJT’

The statement added that the Nigerien army affirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the multinational joint task force (MNJT).

The MNJT is a combined multinational formation, comprising units, mostly military, from Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.

It is headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, and is mandated to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

Frustrations to meet the security operation’s goals have led some countries to cut ties with the US and France, nations that had played roles in fighting the insurgency, and seek help from Russia.

During the recent protests in Nigeria, some Russian flags were sighted. Citizens who wove the flag called for military intervention.

Gusau said Barmou, Niger’s army chief of staff, is expected to visit Nigeria.

Both security chiefs will finalise the modalities of the cooperation agreed upon while agreeing on the creation of a Nigerien advisory group to interface with its Nigerian counterpart.

It was also agreed that the advisory groups should have a joint mandate of developing measures towards strengthening bilateral relationships, the statement added.