By Zagazola Makama
In a provocative statement, General Abdourahamane Tiani, the Head of State of Niger Republic, has alleged that France is providing financial support to Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State, with the purported intention of destabilizing Niger and its neighboring countries.
During a recent address, General Tiani accused 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,” he claimed, though he did not present any evidence to substantiate these serious allegations.
“We have informed Nigerian authorities, including Nuhu Ribado 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 ISWP.
“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. – General Tiani, said.
This assertion marks the latest in a series of accusations directed at France by the Nigerien leader, reflecting 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.
Analysis by Zagazola Makama
General Tiani’s allegations appear to be grounded more in speculation than substantiated fact, revealing a troubling reliance on unverified social media narratives and conspiracy theories. Such claims have circulated widely on platforms like Shehu Mahadi, which aim to sow distrust among Nigerians and incite chaos.
A closer examination of Tiani’s assertions highlights a significant misinterpretation of a video featuring the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) and the UK Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Matt Lynch. In this video, Col. Lynch reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, particularly in the Northeast. Importantly, the BMATT initiative is focused on training West African military personnel to counter threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and does not involve the establishment of bases or engagement in destabilizing activities.
This is not the first instance of Niger making unfounded accusations. Just last week, the Nigerien government alleged that Nigeria orchestrated the sabotage of an oil pipeline between Lido and Karakara in the Dosso region. Despite claiming to possess “concrete evidence,” the Nigerien authorities have yet to produce any substantiating proof, leading to widespread skepticism and criticism.
These allegations seem part of a broader narrative aimed at isolating Nigeria due to its strong ties with France. Notably, the Nigerien junta has frequently criticized France and, by extension, nations that maintain diplomatic relations with it, including Nigeria. A senior military general recently stated that Nigeria is perceived as an enemy of Niger because of its association with France, insisting that trust cannot be established until Nigeria severs ties with its former colonial ruler.
Such continued, unfounded accusations against Nigeria pose a significant threat to diplomatic relations between the two nations. This diplomatic misstep could exacerbate Niger’s isolation, especially as it grapples with the consequences of distancing itself from West African norms and alliances.
With over 1,400 kilometers of porous borders between Nigeria and Niger, collaboration is essential for effectively addressing cross-border terrorism and other security challenges. As Africa’s largest economy and a regional leader, Nigeria has consistently sought to strengthen ties with Niger, offering support in counterterrorism and intelligence sharing.
The absence of a strong security presence in Niger, particularly along its borders since the coup, has exacerbated insecurity in the region, especially in areas like the Diffa Region, where towns such as Bosso and N’Guigmi have experienced insurgent activity. Regions like Gueskerou, Kiblewa, and Tilaberi are not entirely “occupied” in a conventional sense but have become staging grounds for sporadic attacks by insurgent groups.
Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to regional peace and security through initiatives like the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and bilateral collaborations with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. These efforts focus on combating terrorism and enhancing border security.
General Tiani’s accusations not only undermine these important initiatives but also risk fueling unnecessary tensions between nations that share a common goal of achieving stability and peace in the Sahel region.