Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa is currently in the Niger Republic for a crucial meeting with his Nigerien counterpart, Gen. Mousa Barmo.
The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, confirmed the meeting and released photographs showing Gen. Musa being welcomed by Gen. Barmo. This visit comes in the context of a regional crisis involving Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all of which have recently withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following their removal from power and disruption of democratic governance.
Gen. Musa, who chairs the ECOWAS Committee of Defence Chiefs, has emphasized the importance of reintegrating these countries into the regional bloc to address the escalating insecurity in the region, particularly insurgency. He has stressed that collective efforts are crucial to tackling the security challenges facing West Africa. This visit to Niamey is seen as a step towards encouraging the return of these nations to ECOWAS and reinforcing regional stability.