General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger Republic’s Head of State, has claimed that France is financially supporting Nigerian authorities in order to set up a military base in Borno State.
Tiani said the plan is purportedly to destabilize Niger and its neighboring 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 harboring 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 Tiani.
The security expert stated that the assertion marks the latest in a series of accusations directed at France by the Nigerien leader.
He said the development reflects the deteriorating relations between Niger and its former colonial power following the military coup in July 2023.
“Tiani’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 Tiani’s allegations appear 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 Tiani’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.
