Germany vows support for Nigeria on security

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Berlin's commitment on Wednesday to supporting Nigeria on security as it ​battles militant groups, and said violence in the Sahel ‌threatened all coastal states in the region.

He also said Germany would provide 10 million euros ($11.4 million) this year to support the return and ​reintegration of people displaced from communities once controlled by ​Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked militants.

Islamic State and ⁠al Qaeda affiliates that operate in the Sahel region have ​expanded their presence in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and international ​concerns over the increased instability in the region are growing.

"The spillover effects of the crisis in the Sahel are increasingly threatening all coastal states in ​the region," Wadephul said in Abuja after talks with ​Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

"Nigeria has stood on the front line in the ‌fight ⁠against terrorism and violent extremism," he said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said sustained international partnerships were essential to addressing terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and other security threats facing West Africa.

The two ministers ​also discussed expanding ​economic ties between ⁠their countries.

Wadephul, on his first visit to Nigeria, described the country as a key strategic ​partner for Germany, citing its role as West ​Africa's ⁠largest economy and a leading political force within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He said bilateral trade grew by about 10% ⁠last ​year, with Nigeria remaining Germany's second-largest ​trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. More than 100 German companies currently operate in ​the country.


-Reuters