General Tchiani alleges France funding Nigeria to destabilise Niger
Niger Republic’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has alleged that France is providing financial support to Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State.
Tchiani said the plan was purportedly to destabilize Niger and its neighbouring countries.
Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, made this known in a post on his X handle on Wednesday.
Makama said the Niger’s junta leader made the claim during a recent address, accusing France of meddling in the region and harbouring ulterior motives.
“France has even offered to give money to Nigerian authorities to establish a base in Borno State, with the sole aim of destabilizing our countries.
“We have informed Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, of a massive conspiracy to destabilize Niger.
“The Gaba Forest, located on the border between Sokoto (Nigeria) and Niger, was chosen as a base by terrorists recruited by France and ISWAP.
“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,” Makama quoted a statement purportedly made by General Tchiani.
The security expert stated that the assertion marked the latest in a series of accusations directed at France by the Nigerien leader.
He said the development reflected the deteriorating relations between Niger and its former colonial power following the military coup in July 2023.
“Tchiani’s administration has consistently accused France of interfering in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta,” Makama said.
In his analysis, the security expert stated that General Tchiani’s allegations appeared to be grounded more in speculation than substantiated fact.
He said, “These allegations seem part of a broader narrative aimed at isolating Nigeria due to its strong ties with France.”
Makama argued that such continued, unfounded accusations against Nigeria pose a significant threat to diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“General Tchiani’s accusations not only undermine these important initiatives but also risk fueling unnecessary tensions between nations that share a common goal of achieving stability and peace in the Sahel region,” he added.
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