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We are Not at War with Niger, Nigeriens- ECOWAS

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We are Not at War with Niger, Nigeriens- ECOWAS

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said the plan military action in Niger is not a war on the country or its people but to give them back the good they deserved.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray said that the regional bloc has not taken and would never take any action against the interest of Niger.

He said: “We would like to use the opportunity to reassure the good people of Niger Republic that our major concern is for their welfare as we work assiduously to restore civilian rule and political stability in the country, and indeed in the other ECOWAS Member States currently under military rule, in the spirit of solidarity and collective security which is at the heart of our integration agenda.”

Touray lamented that: “Coup d’etat is a tragedy for our regional efforts at consolidating democracy after the political crises of the 90’s exemplified by the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Through collective efforts of our community, the region was stabilized and the foundation for democracy and the rule of law restored.

“Indeed, until about three years ago, all leaders in the ECOWAS region were democratically elected. Unfortunately, the ill winds of coups started blowing again recently and the region has experienced three successful coups and two failed coups. The current development in the Republic of Niger adds to the list of attempted coups d’état in the region. So, you can understand why the Heads of State and Government have decided that this is one coup too many and resolved that it was time to end the contagion. The situation in the Republic of Niger is particularly unfortunate as it comes at a time the country is doing comparatively well in terms of security and economic growth.”

Justifying the decision on the planned deployment of the standby force, Touray said: “The ECOWAS security architecture, which has informed other security arrangements within and outside the region, is anchored on a number of instruments. These include the 1991 ECOWAS Declaration of Political Principles; the Revised ECOWAS Treaty of 1993, the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security as well as the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“The deployment of the ECOWAS Standby force is provided for in the 1999 Mechanism. Specifically, Article 25 expressly stipulates the conditions for the deployment of such a force. Among other conditions, the article provides that the force can be deployed ‘in the event of… an overthrow or an attempted overthrow of a democratically elected government.’ Furthermore, the Supplementary Act of 2012 also provides for sanctions to be invoked against members that fail to honour their obligations to ECOWAS. It also provides for the use of legitimate force in the restoration of constitutional order. Niger Republic is a signatory to all these instruments. Those who challenge the legality of the decision of ECOWAS Heads of State need to do more research.”

He explained that: “In taking its decision of 30th July and 10th August 2023, the Authority of Heads of State and government was only activating these provisions. Unfortunately, this decision has been taken out of context and repeatedly misrepresented in the media as a declaration of war against Niger Republic or a planned invasion of the country. It is even tragic that some influential persons in the Community have promoted this narrative which has been hyped in the social media as the gospel truth. These persons have conveniently ignored the strenuous efforts of the community to engage with the junta to reverse the attempted coup.”

He added that: “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state unequivocally that ECOWAS has neither declared war on the people of Niger nor is there a plan, as it is being purported, to ‘invade’ the country. The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has only activated a full-scale application of sanctions which includes the use of legitimate force to restore constitutional order.”

He said: “In the interim, the region is employing other elements of its instruments and engaging with the military authorities as can be attested to by the several missions that have been fielded to the country and our joint efforts with our partners, including the African Union and the UN. We are hopeful that these diplomatic efforts will yield the desired outcome and make it unnecessary for the deployment of the force.”

Touray while stating that there is no specified date for the use of force to return democratic governance back to Niger, said the military option is still on the table.

He said: “Nonetheless, preparations continue towards making the force ready for deployment. Consequently, the technical arms of the decision-making organs, which include the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff have also been directed to prepare the community enforcement mechanism in case it becomes compelling to deploy the force.”

He however said: “We believe that even now it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’état. ECOWAS also wishes to remind them of their responsibility for the security and safety of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.

“At this juncture let me reiterate that the real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coups d’etat in the region. We are all brothers irrespective of the artificial borders but the rule of law has to be upheld.

“The uncontitutional action of the military has plunged the people of Niger into serious socio-economic crises. In other words, Nigeriens are suffering today because a section of the military, which should be focused on its constitutional role, decided to hijack the political institutions and subvert democracy.

“The truth is, neither Niger nor the West African sub region needs such a major distraction at this time and we would all like to see the defence and security forces of Niger Republic immediately return to their constitutional role, a role in which they have performed creditably as exemplified in their fight against terrorism and sterling performance in the Multinational Joint Tasks Force in the Lake Chad Basin Area, and in many areas within the Liptako-Gourma region.

“The decision of the Heads of State and Government to activate the clause providing for the application of legitimate force in Niger was reached only after due consideration of how political dialogue alone has unfortunately failed to deter coup plotters in the region. The precedents in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are unsettling and underline the reason why the Community was obliged to take such a hard but legitimate stance, backed by the ‘ECOWAS Community law which I must stress again was subscribed to by all the Member States, including Niger Republic.

“The actions of the Community have been guided by a recognition of the Community’s obligation within the context of the spirit of solidarity and collective responsibility that underlines the ECOWAS integration arrangement. We recognize Republic of Niger as an important member of the ECOWAS family, and it remains so to date. It is not a target for destruction by ECOWAS, and ECOWAS will never allow the people of Niger to suffer in the hands of enemies within or without.

We are deeply concerned about the wellbeing of the people and the country. Historically, military administrations have not demonstrated any capacity to better deal with complex political, social and security challenges. The security situation in countries under military government have rather deteriorated, as national territories are being lost to terrorists under their administration even though this has become the main justification for their intervention.

“In most cases, the rights and freedom of the citizens are also inevitably curtailed, with arbitrary arrests, detentions, and use of excessive force becoming the order of the day. The social cohesion in these countries is weakening by the day and it will take years to restore. We do not want this in Niger Republic.

He however lamented that “fifth columnists have unfortunately been misrepresenting our decisions and actions, deriding regional authorities as being tele-guided by foreign powers with nefarious intentions. Let me remind everyone that ECOWAS is a community of rules and regulations, norms, and values.
“These principles, which have been accumulated over the 48 years of its existence, and they underpin its actions. It is undeniable that these admirable principles have made the region an exemplar among Regional Economic Communities within and outside Africa, and many look up to it for inspiration. We are therefore not under the dictate of any extra-regional power or interests. Our interest is rather the protection of the rights of our people with the objective of building a rules-based community and fostering peace and prosperity for all in our region.”

He added that: “So, while we are determined to bend over backwards to accommodate diplomatic efforts, we are not unaware of the true intentions of some of the members of the Niger junta. At first, they snubbed our diplomatic efforts but recently began to show signs of being amenable, only for them to take a dangerous path by putting in place a government, and an unacceptable transition timeline.

He said that “the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which is currently chaired by HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to work for the peaceful restoration of civilian rule in Niger Republic without any delay and to use all the instruments at the disposal of ECOWAS towards the attainment of this goal.

“As for the other countries in transition, namely Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, ECOWAS will continue to support their transition processes, as directed by
the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. We will continue to support their fight against terrorism to ensure the restoration of democracy, peace, and security in our community. We will also continue to work with them on their agreed transition timetables.”

He said: “Regarding the mercenaries, let me say this, ECOWAS and the African continent as a whole stand against the use of private military contractors and again, we have continental instruments as against the use of private military contractors on the continent.”

We are Not at War with Niger, Nigeriens- ECOWAS

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Zulum Pays Sympathy Visit to Victims of Ngoshe Attack, Assures Rescue of Abducted Residents

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3 hours ago

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March 6, 2026

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Zulum Pays Sympathy Visit to Victims of Ngoshe Attack, Assures Rescue of Abducted Residents

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commiserated with the people of Ngoshe affected by the recent Boko Haram attack, describing the incident as tragic.

Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza local government, was attacked on Tuesday evening, scores were killed, while others were abducted.

Addressing members of the community on Friday in Pulka, Governor Zulum said he personally came to sympathize with the affected people and families of those that lost their loved ones.

He assured that efforts are underway to rescue all those abducted, restore security, and provide humanitarian support to victims.

“We are here today to commiserate with the people of Ngoshe that have lost their loved ones following the unfortunate incident that occurred on Tuesday. The situation is very sad and our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy,” Zulum said.

“I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to address the unfortunate situation that has befallen this community, and for those who have been abducted, the Nigerian military will do everything within its capacity to rescue them,” Zulum assured.

Governor Zulum explained that military operations are currently ongoing in Ngoshe and the Sambisa Forest to rid the area of criminal elements.

“There are ongoing military operations within the Sambisa Game Reserve. What we witnessed yesterday was largely a result of insurgents being pushed out from their strongholds, which led them to launch coordinated attacks on nearby communities,” he explained.

He called on the Nigerian Army to intensify operations to clear insurgents from the Mandara Hills which he described as a major security threat.

“The Mandara Hills remain a major security concern. The insurgents descended from the hills to attack this town. Therefore, I call on the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to clear Mandara Hills of insurgents,” Zulum said.

The governor noted that the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as assessments are still ongoing, but acknowledged that several lives were lost while others were abducted.

As part of immediate humanitarian intervention, the governor said the state government had begun distributing relief materials and establishing cooking points to provide food for displaced residents.

“For now, we will distribute food items to those affected and I have directed that cooking points be established so that everyone in this community can receive meals from a central kitchen,” he said.

The governor appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding, noting that Borno State government will double its efforts to end this madness. “We shall not relent in our commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the state,” he said.

“I strongly believe that with sustained military operations and cooperation between all levels of government, we will overcome this challenge. Insha Allah, peace will return fully to our land,” the governor added.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum inspected houses burned during an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Thursday in Konduga town.

Zulum Pays Sympathy Visit to Victims of Ngoshe Attack, Assures Rescue of Abducted Residents

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IWD 2026: UN Women Warns Nigeria’s Democracy at Risk as Women Hold Just 3.9% of Parliamentary Seats

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6 hours ago

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March 6, 2026

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IWD 2026: UN Women Warns Nigeria’s Democracy at Risk as Women¹ Hold Just 3.9% of Parliamentary Seats

By: Michael Michael

The Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Beatrice Eyong, has warned that Nigeria’s democratic progress and development could remain stunted unless urgent action is taken to close the country’s widening gender inequality gap.

Speaking in Abuja during a media parley ahead of the 2026 commemoration of International Women’s Day, Eyong said Nigeria continues to face troubling disparities in women’s representation, safety and access to justice despite years of advocacy and policy commitments.

The global observance this year is themed “Rights. Justice. Action.”

Eyong said the theme reflects a growing international concern that although women’s rights are widely recognised in law and policy, millions of women still struggle to experience those rights in their daily lives.

She particularly raised alarm over Nigeria’s extremely low level of female political representation, revealing that women currently occupy just 3.9 per cent of parliamentary seats, one of the lowest rates anywhere in the world.

According to her, the imbalance not only undermines democratic inclusion but also weakens the country’s ability to make policies that reflect the needs of half of its population.

“Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power, and the power gap in Nigeria remains stark,” Eyong said.

“When women are missing from decision-making tables, the consequences are visible in the policies we adopt, the priorities we fund, and the voices that remain unheard.”

Beyond politics, she said Nigeria continues to grapple with persistently high levels of gender-based violence, noting that many survivors still face enormous barriers in seeking justice.

She warned that violence against women is increasingly spreading into digital spaces, where technology-facilitated abuse has become a growing threat.

“Rights mean little without justice,” she said. “Justice must be experienced in women’s safety, in their freedom from fear, and in their ability to seek protection and accountability wherever abuse occurs.”

To confront these challenges, Eyong said UN Women is intensifying advocacy for the Special Seats for Women Bill, a constitutional reform proposal aimed at guaranteeing women stronger representation in Nigeria’s legislative institutions.

She explained that the organisation is also working with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to strengthen the National Sexual Offender Database, a critical accountability tool designed to prevent convicted offenders from evading detection by moving between states.

In addition, she said UN Women has expanded its engagement with traditional and religious leaders across Nigeria to challenge cultural norms and social practices that perpetuate discrimination and violence against women.

The agency is also supporting efforts to institutionalise Gender-Responsive Budgeting at federal and state levels to ensure government spending prioritises issues affecting women and girls, including maternal health, girl-child education, economic empowerment and community safety.

Eyong noted that beyond policy reforms, UN Women is building partnerships with financial institutions and the private sector to increase access to funding for women-led businesses and community initiatives.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict prevention through Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

However, Eyong stressed that meaningful progress will require more than policy declarations.

According to her, Nigeria does not suffer from a shortage of gender policies but from weak implementation, insufficient financing and inconsistent enforcement.

“We must move from commitments to implementation and from plans to measurable impact,” she said.

She called on the media to intensify its role in exposing injustice, amplifying the voices of survivors of violence and promoting women’s leadership across sectors.

Eyong said journalists remain critical partners in shaping national conversations that can influence policy reforms and public attitudes toward gender equality.

“When we secure justice and rights for women, we secure Nigeria’s stability, prosperity and future,” she said.

She added that UN Women remains committed to working with government, civil society, development partners and communities to ensure that the ideals of Rights, Justice and Action translate into tangible change for women and girls across Nigeria.

IWD 2026: UN Women Warns Nigeria’s Democracy at Risk as Women Hold Just 3.9% of Parliamentary Seats

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Zulum Appoints Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, 3 others as Chairman, Board Members, Borno Investment Promotion Agency

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March 6, 2026

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Zulum Appoints Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, 3 others as Chairman, Board Members, Borno Investment Promotion Agency

By: Our Reporter

The earlier statement inadvertently refers to Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori as the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency, rather than the Chairman/Chief Investment Adviser to the Borno State Governor.

Therefore, this statement supersedes the earlier one.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori as Chairman/Chief Investment Adviser to the Borno State Governor.

Dr. Kori is a consummate entrepreneur and investment and infrastructure finance expert, and holds a PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences with a focus on Intellectual Capital from the University of London, United Kingdom.

He serves as the Honorary Special Adviser on International Relations and Investment to the Governor of Yobe State and is the Technical Adviser to the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum.

Dr. Kori is currently the Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Thinklab Group Limited, a leading innovation and development finance firm. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Nigeria Food Corporation.

He has structured financing in excess of $200 million for critical infrastructure in housing, healthcare, and road networks.

The appointment is for the initial term of four years.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has also approved the appointment of Laminu Lawan Awana, Abubakar Ahmed Askira, and Danladi Alfaki Isa as Governing Board members representing the three senatorial zones of the state.

This is in accordance with section 6(b) of the Borno State Investment Promotion Law 2026 (as amended).

The appointees are seasoned professionals in trade and investment, development financing, housing, and mortgage finance.

Other members of the Board include:

A representative from each of the following Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, not below the rank of a Director, as Ex-Officio Members:
· Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industries
· Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS)
· Ministry of Works
· Ministry of Housing and Energy
· Ministry of Justice
· Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources
· Ministry of Livestock
· Ministry of Planning
· Ministry of Finance
· Ministry of Local Government and Emirate Affairs

  1. Two (2) representatives from the Organized Private Sector in Borno State.
  2. The Director-General of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency will serve as the Secretary.

All the appointments take immediate effect.

Governor Babagana Zulum expressed confidence that, with Dr. Kori’s vast experience and the collective expertise of the board members, the state will be positioned as a hub for domestic and foreign investment and will foster viable Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate the State’s economic revitalization and sustainable development.

Zulum Appoints Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, 3 others as Chairman, Board Members, Borno Investment Promotion Agency

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