General Tiani Alleges France Funding Efforts to Destabilize Niger and Neighboring Countries

General Tiani accuses France of providing funds to Nigeria to destabilize Niger Republic and its neighbors, fueling regional tensions amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, the Head of State of Niger Republic, has claimed that France is financially assisting Nigerian authorities in setting up a military base in Borno State.

Tiani stated that the alleged plan aims to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries.

Zagazola Makama, an expert in counterterrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin region, shared this information on his X account on Wednesday.

Makama stated that the leader of Niger’s junta made this assertion in a recent speech, accusing France of interfering in the region and having hidden intentions.

France has even proposed providing funds to the Nigerian authorities for setting up a base in Borno State, with the primary objective of destabilizing our countries.

We have notified Nigerian authorities, specifically Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, about a significant plot to destabilize Niger.

The Gaba Forest, situated on the border between Sokoto in Nigeria and Niger, was selected as a base by terrorists associated with France and ISWAP.

Regrettably, it appears that we have poorly selected our interlocutors. Their skills have been leveraged by France in an effort to destabilize us along the borders of Niger, Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso,” Makama quoted a statement allegedly made by General Tiani.

The security expert commented that the statement represents the most recent in a series of accusations made against France by Niger’s leader.

He mentioned that the development highlights the worsening relations between Niger and its former colonial power after the military coup in July 2023.

“Tiani’s administration has repeatedly claimed that France is meddling in Niger’s internal matters and backing groups against the ruling junta,” Makama stated.

In his assessment, the cybersecurity specialist

stated that General Tiani’s allegations seem to be based more on speculation than on verified facts.

He suggested that the allegations appear to be part of a larger narrative intended to isolate Nigeria because of its strong relationship with France.

Makama contended that the ongoing, baseless accusations against Nigeria present a substantial risk to diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He added, “General Tiani’s accusations undermine these significant initiatives and risk inciting unnecessary tensions between nations united by the common goal of achieving stability and peace in the Sahel region.”