Tension as Niger Republic cuts off ties with Nigeria as peace talks fail

The political crisis in Niger Republic has taken a tumultuous turn as the military junta in the country cut off ties with Nigeria following the collapse of peace negotiations by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

ECOWAS had issued a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum to avert a potential clash with the junta. In an effort to mediate and find a resolution, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu sent a high-powered delegation led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) to meet with the coup leaders on Thursday.

However, the talks did not lead to a breakthrough, and the delegation only met with representatives of the junta, failing to reach a resolution to the impasse. Consequently, Niger Republic took a drastic measure and severed ties with Nigeria, as well as with Togo, France (its former colonizer), and the United States.

One of the putschists declared on national television, “The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger to France, Nigeria, Togo, and the United States are terminated.”