Generals Moussa Salaou Barmou and Christopher Musa, the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of Niger and Nigeria, respectively, held a meeting in Niamey, the Nigerien army reported.
This marked the first high-level meeting between officials of the two countries in over a year. As noted by the AES info news portal, the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff symbolizes hope for the normalization of bilateral relations and suggests a potential relaxation of tensions between the neighboring countries.
On July 26, 2023, a group of soldiers from the presidential guard in Niger staged a coup and announced the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum. A National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, led by the guard's commander, Abdourahamane Tiani, was formed to govern the country.
Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes Nigeria, condemned the coup, imposed strict sanctions on the coup leaders, and demanded Bazoum's release, threatening the use of force.
Nigeria was among the countries advocating for a military operation in Niger to restore Bazoum's power, but such an operation was never carried out.