Coup: Tension rises at Nigeria-Niger border, as Nigeriens block supplies to Nigerian troops

Tension has reported escalated at the Nigeria-Niger border town of Bosso following the Nigerian government-led Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decision to impose economic sanctions on Niger Republic on the back of the military coup in the country, which ousted the civilian president, Mohammed Bazoum from office, last July 26.

Nigeria followed up on the sanction by cutting off electricity supplies to Niger Republic amid reports of a planned military invasion of the country to be spearheaded by the Nigerian military.

However, while the Nigerian military has denied the report of a planned invasion of Niger, the decision to cut off electricity supplies to the neighbouring West African nation by Nigeria has yet to be refuted.

Meanwhile, Nigeriens who have in their large numbers rallied in mass support of the coup plotters have taken now taken matters in their own hands, as credible reports have emerged of their citizens blockading  

This is also as the junta in Niger Republic has terminated diplomatic ties with four countries, namely; Nigeria, Togo, United States and France, and subsequently recalled its ambassador to those listed nations.

On Friday, reports emerged that that neighbouring towns of Malam Fatori in Nigeria and Bosso in Niger, which were once connected by a friendly daily interaction between Nigerian troops and Niger Republic soldiers in Bosso, are now experiencing heightened tension and hostility due to recent events.

Nigerian soldiers have now been denied access to Bosso town to source items for their daily lives and basic provision, as tensions heightens between the two neighbours.

Despite rebuttal of a possible military invasion, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, informing the Upper Chambers of a proposed military action coded as ‘reactivating of the border drilling exercise,’ and other sanctions against the junta in Niger.

Tinubu’s letter to the Senate was read on the floor of the senate by its President, Godswill Akpabio.

The letter read: “Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in the Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected government.

“In a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique: Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise; Cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic; mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communiqué; Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; blockade of goods in transit to Niger, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports; Embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.

It would be recalled that the Nigerien Electricity Company (Nigelec) of Niger Republic, last Wednesday, confirmed that Nigeria had cut electricity supply to the West African neighbor, in line with the sanctions imposed by the sub-regional body, ECOWAS following last week’s coup in the country which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

“Nigeria disconnected since yesterday (Tuesday) the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger,” the source said. A Nigelec agent for his part indicated that the capital, Niamey, was “supplied thanks to local production”.

Last Sunday, ECOWAS led by its Chairman and Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu decided on sanctions against the put schists who toppled President-elect Mohamed Bazoum a week ago.

In addition to a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order and the suspension of financial transactions with Niger, ECOWAS decreed the freezing of “all service transactions, including energy transactions”.

According to a report by Nigelec, the country’s sole supplier, in 2022, 70% of Niger’s share of electricity came from purchases from the Nigerian company Mainstream.

Many neighbourhoods in the city of Niamey are normally subject to power cuts and Nigeria’s decision will aggravate this situation.

To free itself from its strong energy dependence on neighbouring Nigeria, Niger is working to complete its first dam by 2025, on the river of the same name. Some 180 km upstream from Niamey, the Kandadji dam should generate 629 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually.

Niger, is dependent on its foreign partners in many areas. “The sanctions will hurt our country very badly,” Nigerien Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou said on France 24 on Sunday, as sanctions are increasing internationally.

Also, the Nigerian military, through the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday, moved to dispel viral reports that plans have been concluded for a military invasion on Niger Republic, saying the Armed Forces of Nigeria is yet to receive order for any military intervention in the Republic of Niger following the coup that led to the ouster of democratic governance in the country.

The reports also carried a detailed plan of attack by the Nigerian military on the neighbouring Niger to outs the junta.

Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement, while dismissing the online report of forces assembled for the attack, stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) ‘is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action against the Military Junta in Niger.’

“It is no longer news that some members of the Republic of Niger Armed Forces seized power from a democratically elected government through un-constitutional means.

“In reaction to this illegal takeover of government, the ECOWAS Heads of Government met and a series of options were reached on how to intervene in the crisis.

“Military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails, to reverse the situation and return the Government of Republic of Niger to constitutional order.

“At the moment, ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in Republic of Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.

“In conclusion, the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without the mandate from the Authority of Heads of States and Government,” he said.

Reacting to the twist in relations between Niger and Nigeria, investigative journalist, Mr. David Hundeyin wrote via his Twitter handle, Friday, that ‘the onus for peace is not on them (Niger),’ but on Nigeria.

According to Mr. Hundeyin: “You already threatened them with war, mobilised Special Forces to their border, and unilaterally violated a 50-something year old Niger River bilateral agreement by cutting off electricity supply to their hospitals and government buildings.

“The onus for peace is not on them.”