Niger Republic’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused France of providing financial support to Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State, with the aim of destabilizing Niger and its neighboring countries.
According to a report by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, General Tiani made the allegations during a recent address, stating, “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.”
The Nigerien leader also claimed that France was exploiting the skills of Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, to destabilize Niger.
Makama noted that General Tiani’s allegations are part of a broader narrative aimed at isolating Nigeria due to its strong ties with France.
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The security expert warned that such continued, unfounded accusations against Nigeria pose a significant threat to diplomatic relations between the two nations.
General Tiani’s administration has consistently accused France of interfering in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta, following the military coup in July 2023.
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