France Rejects Niger’s Allegations Of Destabilization Plot With Nigeria

By Onoja Baba, Abuja

France has dismissed allegations made by Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing it of collaborating with Nigeria to destabilize Niger.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, Mr. Bertrand de Seissan, Political Counsellor to the French Embassy in Nigeria, described the claims as baseless.

“This allegation is groundless. This has never been discussed, nor even suggested by either France or Nigeria,” de Seissan stated.

Tchiani, in a recent interview conducted in Hausa, had alleged that France was negotiating with terrorist groups in Nigeria and claimed that substantial payments were made to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria for potential attacks on Niger.

“They [France] met and negotiated with Boko Haram/Bakurawa,” Tchiani alleged, referring to what could be a new terrorist faction in Nigeria.

The claims come amid heightened tensions between Niger and France following the July 2023 military coup in Niger, which toppled the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Relations between Niger and its former colonial power, France, have deteriorated since then, with the military junta accusing France of meddling in its internal affairs.

France, however, has categorically denied any involvement in actions aimed at destabilizing Niger.

De Seissan reaffirmed France’s commitment to maintaining peaceful relations with Nigeria and the region, emphasizing that neither France nor Nigeria would engage in actions that undermine the stability of neighboring countries.