Pastoralist Association Issues Passionate Plea for Nigeria-Niger Reconciliation

The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has issued a formal and impassioned appeal to the Presidents of Nigeria and the Niger Republic,urging an immediate and amicable resolution to the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

In a letter addressed to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National President of KACRAN, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello,highlighted the profound and inseparable bonds linking the countries, which share a 1,608-kilometer border.

"We passionately appeal to Your Excellencies to kindly resolve your nations' diplomatic differences and restore the historic brotherhood that has defined our countries' relationship for centuries,"Bello stated on behalf of the association’s entire membership.

The appeal meticulously outlines the deep-rooted connections between Northern Nigeria and Southern Niger, noting shared tribes, languages, religions, and cultural values. Bello emphasized that family units are often split by the border, a reality that fueled widespread opposition in Northern Nigeria to potential ECOWAS military intervention following Niger’s recent political changes.

Economically, the association described the nations as "inextricably linked," with hundreds of thousands of Nigerien entrepreneurs operating in Nigerian markets like Kano and countless Nigerian traders in Niger. 

"Our populations are effectively inseparable,"the letter reads,"often viewing themselves as citizens of a single region."

KACRAN, identifying as a peace-loving association, presented several urgent reasons for reconciliation.The livelihoods of ordinary people must be prioritized over political disagreements.Collaborative partnership is deemed essential to combat shared threats of insurgency and banditry.

Others were;the current friction is severely damaging cross-border trade and the livestock industry and the letter cites the critical seasonal migration of Nigerian pastoralists into Niger during the rainy season,which is now hindered and disrupting livestock supply as seen during the recent Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The association argued it is economically illogical for the nations to seek resources from distant continents when they are readily available across their shared border.

Describing Nigeria and Niger as “twin nations,” KACRAN strongly advocated for dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward. The letter cautioned that “forceful measures are unlikely to succeed against a nation that has already asserted its independence.”

The appeal concludes with a respectful call to the leaders of both nations and ECOWAS to “embrace a spirit of brotherhood to ensure the prosperity and peace of our countries and the West African sub-region."