By Divine Sam
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the Head of State of Niger Republic, has made serious allegations against France, claiming that the country is offering financial support to Nigeria in a bid to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries. According to Tiani, France is allegedly funding the establishment of a military base in Borno State, Nigeria, with the goal of undermining stability in the region, including Niger, Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso. He also accused France of collaborating with terrorist groups such as ISWAP to use Gaba Forest, located along the border between Sokoto (Nigeria) and Niger, as a base for insurgents.
This accusation reflects the tense relationship between Niger and France since the military coup in Niger in July 2023. Tiani’s government has repeatedly accused France of meddling in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta. While these claims are serious, security experts like Zagazola Makama view them as speculative and part of a broader narrative to isolate Nigeria, which has strong ties with France. Such accusations, according to Makama, could jeopardize diplomatic relations between Niger and Nigeria and risk escalating tensions in the region, undermining efforts for stability in the Sahel.
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