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Niger Republic’s Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has claimed that France is providing financial support to Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State.
He alleged that the project is aimed at destabilizing Niger and its neighboring countries.
A Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama 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.
