The senior military officer, however, noted that the Defence Headquarters was hoping that things would improve as tension continues to calm down.
The Niger Republic has carried out a withdrawal of its troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at the border with Nigeria – an action which suggests that it is no longer actively contributing to the regional efforts to curtail the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
The withdrawal by Niger Republic was due to financial sanctions on the country under military leadership by the European Union, African Union, the United Kingdom governments as well as other donor organisations.
Sources familiar with the development told DailyTrust that “The sanctions had affected their (Sector 4) operations. The EU provides the funding so due to the sanctions the EU will not be able to pay the Niger contingent.
“Also, when they are deployed the MNJTF helicopter goes to Niger to pick them to Ndajemena but due to the sanctions, they cannot go and pick them up. Even if they come, the EU won’t be paying.
“So officially, MNJTF have not withdrawn from the frontline, and at the same time, there is little they could do because their funding was cut off by the EU. The problem has to do with sanctions.”
“When commanders finish their tour of duty at the MNJTF, Niger may not be able to deploy another commander because MNJTF cannot go to Niger to pick them and even if they do, no funding due to sanctions,” another source explained.
Recall that the major financial partners of the multinational joint task force, EU, UK, AU, and ECOWAS have announced several sanctions on Niger, cutting financial support following the military take over.
The Sanctions meant to mount pressure on the military government includes freezing of Assets, fund restrictions, shutting down of borders, suspension of imports and exports, power supply cuts and the shutting down of the West Africa’s regional central bank, BCEAO among others.
In separate reactions, the Spokesman of the multinational joint task force, Abubakar Abdullahi and Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, both denied the withdrawal of Niger from MNJTF.
“Note that, Niger is responsible for Sector 4 of the MNJTF that is located in Diffa. The communication channel between the Sector and HQ MNJTF has been less than perfect. This is obviously, due to the political situation,” Buba told Daily Trust Sunday.
The senior military officer, however, noted that the Defence Headquarters was hoping that things would improve as tension continues to calm down.