In a stunning accusation, Niger’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has claimed that France is providing financial support to Nigeria for the purpose of destabilizing Niger and other neighboring countries. According to Tiani, France’s actions include offering funds for the establishment of a military base in Nigeria’s Borno State, with the aim of sowing chaos in the Sahel region.
These claims, which have stirred controversy, were revealed by Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism expert based in the Lake Chad Basin. Makama shared the statements made by General Tiani, who expressed deep concerns about France’s role in the region, accusing the country of backing terrorism and meddling in Niger’s internal affairs. This marks the latest chapter in a series of tensions between Niger and France, particularly since the military coup in Niger in July 2023.
During a recent address, General Tiani laid out the charges against France. He stated that France has been involved in a scheme to fund Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State, a region in northeastern Nigeria that has long been affected by insurgency and terrorism. According to Tiani, the purpose of the base is not only to destabilize Niger but also to create unrest in neighboring countries like Benin and Burkina Faso.
Tiani further alleged that France has collaborated with terrorist groups such as ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) to set up operations in the Gaba Forest, a region that borders both Nigeria and Niger. He claimed that these groups are being used to further destabilize the region. The Nigerien leader also noted that he had informed Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, about the conspiracy, but had not received any meaningful response to his warnings.
The claims come at a time of growing tension between Niger and its former colonial power, France. The coup in Niger and the subsequent ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023 significantly shifted the political dynamics in the country. Since then, the new military junta has repeatedly accused France of interfering in Niger’s internal politics and backing factions opposed to the junta’s rule.
Tiani’s administration has consistently expressed its dissatisfaction with France’s role in the region. The French government’s support for Bazoum’s ousting and its continued political influence in the region has raised suspicions in the eyes of the Nigerien leadership. Tiani’s allegations appear to be part of a broader strategy to distance Niger from France and its influence in West Africa.
Zagazola Makama, the security expert who brought attention to Tiani’s statements, noted that the allegations against France appear to be speculative and lack solid evidence. While the claims are serious, they seem to fit into a narrative of isolating Nigeria due to its close ties with France, which could potentially undermine regional cooperation efforts.
Makama also emphasized the potential damage these accusations could cause to diplomatic relations between Niger and Nigeria. Both countries share common security concerns, particularly in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Sahel region. If these claims were to escalate into a broader diplomatic crisis, it could destabilize an already volatile region.
Despite these concerns, there are those who believe that Tiani’s allegations might be a strategic move to rally domestic and regional support, painting France as a destabilizing force in West Africa. Such actions could rally the people of Niger around the junta and strengthen the country’s position against external pressures.
France, a former colonial power in the region, has yet to provide a detailed response to Tiani’s accusations. However, its presence in West Africa, particularly in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, has been under scrutiny for years. France has been involved in military operations aimed at countering terrorism, but its interventions have often been met with criticism from local populations and political leaders who view them as a form of neocolonialism.
The accusations against France could have far-reaching consequences for regional security. The Sahel region, which includes countries like Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, has been plagued by terrorist activity and insurgencies for years. The involvement of external powers like France, whether through military operations or financial support, can either stabilize or further destabilize the region, depending on the nature of the interventions.
