On Wednesday, France dismissed as “groundless” accusations from Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria had allowed French forces to use its territory as a base for operations aimed at destabilizing Niger. Mr. Bertrand de Seissan, Political Counsellor at the French Embassy in Nigeria, firmly rejected the allegations, stating that such discussions had never taken place, nor had they ever been suggested by either France or Nigeria. This statement came in response to claims made by Tchiani, who accused France of plotting to destabilize Niger by using neighboring Nigeria and Benin as staging grounds for attacks.
Tchiani’s comments, which were made in Hausa during a media interview, included specific allegations about France’s involvement with terrorist groups in Nigeria. He accused the French government of negotiating with and making financial arrangements to facilitate Boko Haram and a new terrorist group, referred to as Bakurawa(which may be a variant pronunciation of Lakurawa). Furthermore, Tchiani claimed that a “substantial payment” had been made to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu for the establishment of a French military base in northern Nigeria.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quick to reject these claims. A spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, issued a statement categorically denying Tchiani’s allegations. The Ministry stressed that there were no French military personnel operating in northern Nigeria or involved in any activities to destabilize Niger’s government. The Nigerian government expressed deep concern over the accusations and urged the public to disregard them entirely. Furthermore, the Ministry reaffirmed that the relationship between Nigeria and France remains strong, based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
In response to the allegations, the French Embassy’s Political Counsellor, Mr. de Seissan, reinforced France’s stance, emphasizing that there had been no such discussions or agreements with Nigeria, dismissing the entire claim as baseless. He highlighted the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and France, noting that both countries have maintained a constructive partnership guided by diplomacy and respect for each other’s sovereignty.
The accusations from Niger’s military junta come amidst a tense political climate in the region, particularly after the military coup in Niger earlier in 2024, which ousted the democratically elected government. The junta’s allegations of external interference, including France’s alleged dealings with terrorist groups, underscore the broader geopolitical struggles playing out in West Africa. The military leadership in Niger, facing internal instability, has sought to solidify its position both within the country and in the region by deflecting criticism and rallying support against perceived foreign interference.
The broader context of these developments includes ongoing concerns about the rise of extremist violence in the Sahel region, where groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State have long operated. The relationship between Niger and its neighbors, particularly Nigeria, has grown increasingly strained in recent years, due to growing security concerns and regional instability.
However, both Nigeria and France have sought to distance themselves from the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to peaceful relations and regional cooperation. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its dedication to exploring diplomatic avenues to maintain stable relations with Niger, despite the tensions surrounding the military junta’s claims. In doing so, the Nigerian government signaled its willingness to continue supporting efforts for regional peace, despite the ongoing challenges posed by extremist threats in the Sahel.
The diplomatic response from both France and Nigeria seeks to de-escalate the situation and clarify the position of both countries regarding the claims from Niger. While the allegations from Tchiani have been vigorously denied, they reflect broader regional concerns about the growing influence of foreign powers and extremist groups in West Africa. As the situation in Niger and the broader Sahel region continues to evolve, the dynamics of international relations and regional security remain complex and highly fluid.
