Shehu Sani Urges Sahel States to Rejoin ECOWAS After Niamey Attack

Former Nigerian lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has called on the military-led governments of Sahel countries to reunite with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following attacks on Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic.

Sani made the call in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, August 29, 2026, while commenting on the security situation in the West African subregion.

He said the latest attack on Niamey exposed the vulnerability of Niger’s military government and reflected a worrying security trend across the Sahel.

“Today’s attacks on Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic once again reflects the vulnerability and fragility of the ruling military regime and the dangerous security trend in the subregion,” Sani said.

The former senator also warned against the continued reliance on military coups to establish governments, recalling Nigeria’s own experience with successive military takeovers.

“No Government installed by military coup stays longer without a counter coup. We have been through that phase in our history,” he said.

Sani urged Niger and other Sahel countries currently outside ECOWAS to reconsider their position and return to the regional bloc.

“The Sahel states should reunite with ECOWAS in the interests of regional peace and security,” he said.