Nigeria remains steadfast in its desire for dialogue to resolve mutual concerns- Tuggar 

Oru Leonard 

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement addressing concerns from Niger, reaffirming the country’s commitment to peace, stability, and regional harmony in West Africa. The statement comes in response to recent comments from Niger’s President Abdourahman Tchiani, which Nigeria says have caused needless tensions.

According to a the Ministry’s statement, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs noted the country remains steadfast in its desire for dialogue to resolve mutual concerns. Nigeria has assured Niger that it will not take any actions to undermine the country’s sovereignty and security.

The statement highlights the deep historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Niger, as well as their trade and economic interdependence. To address the current tensions, Nigeria has proposed the following:

– Reaffirming Respect for Sovereignty: Nigeria reaffirms its respect for Niger’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with ECOWAS principles.
– Open Dialogue: Nigeria welcomes and encourages open, constructive dialogue between the two governments to address mutual concerns.
– Confidence-Building Measures: Nigeria is prepared to explore confidence-building measures to alleviate the humanitarian impact on border communities.
– Regional and International Support: Nigeria calls on regional and international partners to support efforts aimed at fostering reconciliation and stability.

“Nigeria remains committed to diplomacy, mutual respect, and the pursuit of peace, and is confident that through constructive engagement, the two countries can work towards a more prosperous and stable future”, Tuggar concluded.