Niger: Strategic alliance in the Sahel, towards closer cooperation between Niamey and N’Djamena
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno arrived in Niamey today for a 48-hour working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with neighboring Niger. The trip underscores the growing strategic partnership between these two Sahelian nations as they face shared security and development challenges.
Received by Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani with full military honors, the two leaders immediately began closed-door discussions focusing on enhanced security cooperation, economic integration, and regional leadership in the volatile Sahel region.
Security issues dominated the agenda, with particular attention to coordinating counterterrorism efforts along their 1,200-km shared border. Both nations face persistent threats from armed groups operating in the region.
The talks also covered economic matters, including progress on the proposed Niger-Chad oil pipeline that would create alternative export routes, as well as plans to boost cross-border trade that reached $180 million last year.
This visit takes on added significance as both countries recently completed transitions to constitutional rule and Niger has withdrawn from ECOWAS.
Observers see the meeting as cementing their roles as anchors of stability in the region, particularly as international security forces continue their drawdown.
The Chadian delegation includes key ministers responsible for petroleum, defense and commerce, signaling the substantive nature of the discussions.
The visit is expected to conclude with concrete agreements on military cooperation, trade facilitation and joint infrastructure projects that will shape the strategic partnership moving forward.
Kadri DJIBO
