Chadian Defense Minister Dago Yacoub visited Niger on Tuesday May 7. During a meeting with Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, the two countries expressed their “ good cooperative relations », particularly in the security area. On the agenda of the exchanges, securing the borders, but also the repatriation of a group of Chadians to Ndjamena.
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Present at the meeting, Nigerien Minister of Defense Salifou Mody welcomed a situation “ mastered » in the Lake Chad area, thanks in particular to joint operations of the multinational joint force. He praised the “ good cooperation » within this force.
Niger, however, no longer participates in these joint operations since the coup d’état of July 2023, and above all refuses coordination with Nigeria. This is due to tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Chad, on the other hand, has been participating for two weeks in a major operation in Nigeria and Cameroon. This is to free up traffic corridors targeted by armed groups from Boko Haram or linked to Iswap, the local branch of the Islamic State group. Ndjamena would lead negotiations for Niger to resume full cooperation within the force.
Another subject of interest: the common northern border. According to a Nigerien security source, Niamey is concerned about the development of a rebellion in this region, which attacked a detachment of the national guard in the town of Siguidine this weekend.
When leaving Niamey, Dago Yacoub brought with him around twenty Chadian nationals, but whose backgrounds raise questions. According to Chadian public television, these are people captured by armed groups and that Niger “ helped to free », without further details. On the other hand, the pro-government Nigerien daily The Sahel speaks of ex-rebels having grabbed the outstretched hand of the president of the Chadian transition Mahamat Idriss Déby to return to Chad.