The Head of State of Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused France of providing financial assistance to Nigerian authorities for the establishment of a military base in Borno State, Nigeria. According to Tiani, the alleged objective of this military base is to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries.
This claim was revealed by Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism and insurgency expert focusing on the Lake Chad Basin, who shared the information via a post on his X handle on Wednesday. Tiani reportedly made these statements during a recent address, alleging that France is actively involved in regional destabilization efforts and harboring ulterior motives.
General Tiani was quoted as saying, “France has even offered to provide money to Nigerian authorities to establish a base in Borno State, with the sole aim of destabilizing our countries.” He went on to add that Niger’s leadership had informed Nigerian officials, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, about a major conspiracy to destabilize Niger. According to Tiani, the Gaba Forest, located on the border between Sokoto in Nigeria and Niger, was identified by terrorists allegedly recruited by France and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as a potential base.
Tiani’s accusations are part of a broader series of claims against France, which has been accused of interfering in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta. Relations between Niger and its former colonial power, France, have soured significantly since the military coup in July 2023, with the junta frequently accusing France of destabilizing the region.
Zagazola Makama, in his analysis, stated that while the allegations made by General Tiani are serious, they seem to be grounded more in speculation rather than concrete evidence. He suggested that the accusations may be part of a broader narrative aimed at isolating Nigeria due to its strong ties with France.
Makama further warned that these ongoing, unfounded allegations against Nigeria could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two nations. He emphasized that such tensions could complicate efforts to maintain stability and peace in the Sahel region, where Niger and Nigeria both play critical roles in countering terrorism and insurgency.
The allegations have yet to be confirmed by independent sources, and the governments of both Niger and France have not provided official responses at this time. The situation highlights the growing geopolitical tensions in West Africa, especially regarding the influence of former colonial powers and the complex security challenges facing the region.
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