Niger Republic’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has alleged that France is financially supporting Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State, a move he claims is designed to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries.
The claim was revealed by Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday.
According to Makama, the Nigerien junta leader made the statement during a recent address, accusing France of orchestrating a broader conspiracy in the region.
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“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,” Tiani reportedly said.
The Nigerien leader further alleged that terrorists recruited by France and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had selected the Gaba Forest, located on the border between Sokoto (Nigeria) and Niger, as their operational base.
“We have informed Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, of a massive conspiracy to destabilize Niger,” he added.
Makama noted that this is the latest in a string of accusations by General Tiani’s administration against France, reflecting strained relations between Niger and its former colonial power.
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Tensions have been escalating since a military coup ousted Niger’s democratically elected president 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.
The allegations add another layer of complexity to the fragile security dynamics in the Lake Chad Basin region, where counterterrorism efforts are already challenged by insurgent activities and cross-border threats.
