Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism and insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has disclosed that Niger Republic military junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, alleged that France has been offering Nigeria funds to destabilize the country and its neighbours.
Makama disclosed this in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday.
Continuing, he said Gen. Tiani believes the plan is to establish a French military base in Borno state, a state in far Northern Nigeria contiguous to Niger Republic.
Aside that, another French action, he stated,is the recruitment and funding of terrorists from the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) bloc to kick off terrorist operations in Gaba Forest which spans Nigeria’s Sokoto state and Niger.
According to Makama, Gen. Tiani took the position during a recent address where he, again, accused France of meddling in the region with sinister motives.
Tiani reportedly said: “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 remarked that the latest development marks another stage in the deteriorating relations between Niger and France in the wake of the Tiani-led military coup of July, 2023 which ousted the fiercely pro-France government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Makama noted: “Tiani’s administration has consistently accused France of interfering in Niger’s internal affairs and supporting factions opposed to the ruling junta.”
However, Makama believes Gen. Tiani’s allegations appear more speculative than factual, stressing that “these allegations seem part of a broader narrative aimed at isolating Nigeria due to its strong ties with France.”
To him, such repeated, unfounded accusations against Nigeria pose a serious threat to diplomatic relations between both West African countries. Already, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have quit the President Bola Tinubu-led Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
