France accused of funding Nigeria to destabilize Niger and neighboring countries – General Tiani

DDM News

Niger Republic’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused France of providing financial assistance to Nigerian authorities for the establishment of a military base in Borno State.

According to him, the alleged plan aims to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries.

This accusation was revealed to Diaspora digital media (DDM) by Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism and insurgency expert specializing in the Lake Chad Basin, through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

In his statement, General Tiani claimed that France had ulterior motives in the region, accusing the European power of interference and subversive activities targeting Niger and other Sahel countries.

He stated that financial support had been extended to Nigeria to create a military base near the border, which would serve as a strategic position to undermine the region’s stability.

Tiani also alleged that the Gaba Forest, located on the border between Sokoto State in Nigeria and Niger Republic, had been selected as a base for terrorists recruited by France and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

“We have informed Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, of a massive conspiracy to destabilize Niger,” Tiani reportedly said.

“Unfortunately, it seems we have chosen our interlocutors badly because it is their skills that have been exploited by France in an attempt to destabilize us on the Niger, Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso borders.”

General Tiani’s allegations come amidst rising tensions between Niger and France following the military coup in Niger in July 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Tiani and his junta have since accused France, Niger’s former colonial power, of meddling in its domestic affairs and supporting opposition factions.

The relationship between Niger and France has drastically deteriorated, with Tiani’s administration consistently criticizing Paris for allegedly interfering in the Sahel region.

This strained relationship is part of a broader narrative of anti-French sentiment that has been growing in several West African nations, particularly those that have experienced recent coups, such as Mali and Burkina Faso.

These countries have accused France of pursuing neocolonial agendas under the guise of counterterrorism efforts.

The coup in Niger disrupted the country’s close relationship with France, which had maintained a significant military presence in the region, ostensibly to combat jihadist groups such as ISWAP and Boko Haram.

However, the junta has increasingly turned to other international partners, including Russia and the Wagner Group, for support, further complicating regional dynamics.

One of the key points in Tiani’s allegations is the involvement of ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram that operates primarily in the Lake Chad Basin.

He claimed that ISWAP terrorists, allegedly supported by France, are being stationed in the Gaba Forest, a strategic area that straddles the border between Sokoto State in Nigeria and Niger Republic.

This forest has historically been a haven for criminal activities, including arms trafficking and militant operations, due to its difficult terrain and lack of effective border control.

If true, this would not be the first time external actors have been accused of exploiting such regions to further geopolitical interests.

However, critics argue that these claims are speculative and lack concrete evidence.

Zagazola Makama, the counterterrorism expert who shared Tiani’s statements, has provided a nuanced perspective on the allegations.

While acknowledging the seriousness of Tiani’s claims, he suggested that they appear to be grounded more in speculation than substantiated facts.

Makama argued that these accusations could be part of a broader strategy to isolate Nigeria due to its perceived strong ties with France.

“Tiani’s administration has consistently accused France of interfering in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta,” Makama noted.

He added that such allegations risk undermining regional cooperation and fueling unnecessary tensions between countries that share a common goal of achieving stability in the Sahel.

Makama emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s role in regional stability, pointing out that the country has historically been a key player in peacekeeping efforts in West Africa.

He warned that Tiani’s accusations could jeopardize diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Niger, two nations that are not only geographical neighbors but also share cultural and economic ties.

The allegations against France and Nigeria underscore the complex and volatile political landscape in the Sahel region.

Following the coup in Niger, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigeria, imposed sanctions and threatened military intervention to restore constitutional order.

This move further strained relations between Nigeria and Niger, with the junta accusing ECOWAS of being a proxy for Western interests.

France, on the other hand, has faced growing resistance to its military presence in the Sahel.

Several countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso, have expelled French troops, accusing Paris of failing to address security challenges while pursuing its own agenda.

In response, France has begun repositioning its forces, including plans to withdraw its troops from Niger.

General Tiani’s allegations against France and Nigeria highlight the fragile state of regional politics in the Sahel.

While these claims have yet to be substantiated, they reflect the deep mistrust and tensions that have come to define relations between Niger’s junta and its international counterparts.

As the situation unfolds, the focus will likely remain on fostering dialogue and cooperation to address the security and governance challenges facing the region.

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