The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has dismissed allegations by Niger Republic that Nigeria and certain ECOWAS member states are collaborating with France to sponsor terrorism against the country.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Joël Ahofodji, ECOWAS described the claims as “unfounded and unsubstantiated.”
Niger Republic’s military rulers had accused Nigeria and other West African nations of conspiring with France to commit acts of terrorism against their country.
Reaffirming its support for Nigeria and the accused member states, ECOWAS stated: “ECOWAS expresses deep concern over allegations made against Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states. The Commission stands firmly by Nigeria and ECOWAS member states against the allegations that they are sponsoring terrorism.”
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The statement further highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding role in promoting peace and security in West Africa and beyond, adding: “For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security of several countries, not only in the West African sub-region but also on the African continent.”
ECOWAS also pointed to recent achievements by the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, led by Nigeria, as evidence of the nation’s commitment to regional stability. “ECOWAS, therefore, refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state-sponsor of terrorism,” the statement read.
The Commission called on ECOWAS member states to avoid making baseless accusations and instead focus on fostering dialogue and stability within the sub-region.
Separately, the Nigerian government has also rejected Niger’s claims.
On Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the accusations by Niger’s military leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, calling them “false and a figment of his imagination.”
“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination. Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France or any other country to destabilise Niger Republic,” Idris stated.
Crediblenewsng.com
