Türkiye–Niger Security Pivot: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara, pledging deeper Türkiye-Africa ties and support against terrorist threats in the Sahel, with new cooperation deals spanning security, defense, trade, education and more. Energy Integration: Algeria has started construction of its section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a project linking Nigeria and Niger to Algeria’s Mediterranean coast for gas exports to Europe. Arms Proliferation Warning: The UN says weapons looted in Libya’s 2011 conflict have resurfaced across the Sahel, including Niger and Nigeria, and are now in the hands of extremist groups. Regional Water Stability: EU and Germany-backed Lake Chad water management (LACHAWAMA) was launched in Bangui to improve shared water governance, climate resilience and stability across the basin. Niger Security Clampdown: Niger police arrested six suspects after a deadly clash between rival youth groups in Minna, and also moved against a suspect linked to a viral thuggery threat. Diplomacy & Mobility: The US confirmed deportation of 355 West Africans under its WOW initiative, with Nigeria listed for 110 deportees; meanwhile, Niger’s ambassador presented credentials in Luxembourg.