Niger Accuses Nigeria of Complicity in Pipeline Sabotage
Niamey accuses Nigeria of serving as a base to destabilize Niger, allegedly collaborating with foreign powers and former Nigerien officials and allegedly providing them with asylum. This follows the sabotage of the Niger-Benin Gaya oil pipeline on December 13, with Niger’s Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare suggesting that Nigerian security forces were involved in the incident. However, Nigeria has strongly denied the accusations, with its foreign ministry calling them baseless. Furthermore, it maintained its commitment to combating terrorism, stressing that the Nigerian security forces were not involved in attacks or supporting the Lakulawa terrorist group. Tensions between the two countries have escalated since a 2023 coup in Niger triggered ECOWAS sanctions and exacerbated regional divisions. Although sanctions were lifted in February 2024, diplomatic relations remain tense, with Niger joining the Alliance of Sahel States to distance itself from ECOWAS.
source: business insider
