The military junta in Niger Republic has officially cut off diplomatic ties with Nigeria after efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mediate in the on-going crisis proved unsuccessful.
ECOWAS had previously issued a seven-day ultimatum for the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum, in a bid to avert a potential clash with the ruling junta.
In response, Nigeria's influential figure, President Bola Tinubu, dispatched a high-powered delegation led by retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar to engage with the coup leaders.
However, the delegation's attempts to engage with the junta only resulted in meetings with the junta's representatives. As a result of this diplomatic impasse, Niger Republic has taken the drastic step of severing ties not only with Nigeria but also with Togo, France (its former colonial power), and the United States.
One of the coup leaders was quoted on national television, saying, "The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger to France, Nigeria, Togo, and the United States are terminated," effectively signaling a rupture in diplomatic relations.
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