Niger has quietly withdrawn its military forces from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional coalition established to combat terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin,
Lake Chad region intelligence expert Zagazola Makama confirmed the withdrawal, which occurred without formal communication to the MNJTF or the Lake Chad Basin Commission, has raised significant concerns about increased security risks, particularly for Nigeria’s northern borders.
The MNJTF, comprising troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has been a key component in the fight against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Niger’s decision to pull its forces creates a potential security vacuum in the region, which could allow these terrorist organisations to regroup and strengthen their operations.
This move comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel region, where Niger is increasingly focusing on securing its own national interests, including its oil infrastructure and border regions.
The nation’s decision also reflects a broader trend of some Sahel countries distancing themselves from Western-backed security initiatives.
The withdrawal places a larger security burden on the remaining MNJTF countries, particularly Nigeria, which shares a long and porous border with Niger.
Security analysts are now calling for Nigeria to increase its border security and improve intelligence sharing with Chad and Cameroon to mitigate the potential impact of Niger’s departure.
Despite Niger’s withdrawal, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon have stated their intention to continue counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin.
However, the absence of Niger’s troops raises concerns about the effectiveness of these operations and the potential for increased instability in the region.
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