By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria could face significant security and economic challenges if Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso do not return to democratic rule, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has warned.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS Channel’s Prime Time program at the weekend, General Musa highlighted the dire consequences of governance failures in the three countries, particularly following their military takeovers and exit from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS in September 2023. Instead, they formed the Alliance of Sahel States, raising concerns for Nigeria’s stability.
“We have a lot to lose if they do not get it right,” Musa stated. “Leadership failure in these countries will directly affect Nigeria. We already share borders with them, and issues like poverty, climate change, and a lack of political will are spilling over into our country,” he added.
The CDS emphasized that while poverty and governance challenges in these nations have worsened, the absence of democratic leadership hinders solutions. “For us in Nigeria, it’s vital these nations return to democracy. A democratic system can make the right decisions that benefit both their countries and ours,” he added.
He added that the Nigerian government is already strengthening its border management to mitigate security threats from neighboring states. General Musa also referred to the recent global terrorism index, which ranked Nigeria sixth, but assured that security improvements are underway.
“Despite being ranked sixth, things are improving. In 2024, we saw the least number of attacks. Farmers are returning to their farms, and there’s more peace,” Musa noted, pointing to the efforts of the military in restoring stability.
However, Musa warned that the continued turmoil in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso remains a significant concern. “The challenges there affect us, and no matter the efforts we make, as long as these issues persist, they will pose a challenge to our security,” he said.
