Niger Roundup: U.S. suspends visa services,  2-year detention of ex-president, AES investment bank

Türkiye and Niger sign military cooperation agreement 

Türkiye and Niger signed a Military Financial Cooperation Agreement on Thursday, July 24, during the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul. The agreement was signed by Turkish Deputy National Defence Minister Alpaslan Kavaklioglu and Niger’s National Defence Ministry General Secretary Sani Kache. The six-day defence fair, which began on Tuesday, is being held at the Istanbul Fair Centre, Ataturk Airport, Wow Hotel, and Atakoy Marina. IDEF 2025 is organised by KFA Fairs with support from Türkiye’s Defence Industries Secretariat (SSB) and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation.

Nigeria collaborates with Sahel militaries on regional security

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stated on Thursday that the country is working with the armed forces of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to address transnational security threats in West Africa. He emphasised that regional interdependence necessitates cross-border military cooperation. He made this statement during the 2nd Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Security Management at the University of Ibadan. He noted that while the three nations may be politically distant, military collaboration continues, and Nigeria remains committed to supporting them to promote regional stability.

U.S. suspends visa services in Niger

The United States has suspended all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services at its embassy in Niamey, Niger, until further notice, according to a State Department spokesperson and an internal cable dated July 25. No reason was given in the cable, but the spokesperson stated the pause would remain in effect until Washington addresses "concerns with the Government of Niger". The cable also directed consular officers in other locations to apply heightened scrutiny to non-immigrant visa applications from Nigerien nationals. It cited overstay rates of 8% for visitor visas and 27% for student and exchange visas.

HRW urges Niger junta to release ex-president Bazoum after 2-year detention 

Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of former Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, detained since a military coup in 2023 led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Bazoum and his wife have been held since the overthrow of his government. The rights group condemned the detention as politically motivated and said it undermines the junta's claims to democratic legitimacy. A regional ECOWAS court previously ruled Bazoum’s detention arbitrary and ordered his release. Despite this, a Nigerien court lifted Bazoum’s presidential immunity to allow prosecution for alleged offences committed during his presidency. Human Rights Watch criticised the judicial process, stating it failed to meet international fair trial standards.

AES ministers agree to fast-track launch of confederal investment bank

Finance and economy ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have agreed to expedite the operationalisation of the Confederal Bank for Investment and Development (BCID-AES). Meeting in Niamey, the ministers committed to releasing the required capital within the set timeframe. The BCID-AES, established by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is intended to support long-term economic development and financial sovereignty across the bloc.