Niger Accuses Nigeria of Conspiring with France to Destabilize Country

Niger’s military leader, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has made serious accusations against neighboring Nigeria, claiming that the country is working in collusion with France to destabilize Niger.

The accusations, made during a Christmas Day interview, have sparked diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

Tchiani, who took power in Niger’s 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, alleged that France was working with militant groups in the Lake Chad region to undermine Niger’s security.

He further claimed that Nigerian authorities were complicit in these actions. According to Tchiani, “Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move,” a statement that was picked up by international media outlets.

However, Nigerian officials were quick to reject the allegations.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu called the accusations “baseless” and “false,” asserting that Nigeria has never acted against Niger’s interests and would not seek to harm its neighbor.

Ribadu emphasized that Nigeria has always sought to maintain stability in the region and would never allow any harm to befall Niger.

Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, also dismissed the claims, labelling them as a “diversionary tactic” designed to deflect attention from what he called the failures of Tchiani’s military government.

Idris further denied accusations that Nigeria had engaged in any covert operations with France to destabilize Niger, including sabotaging the country’s pipeline and agricultural sectors.

These tensions come at a time when relations between Niger and its neighbors have been fraught since the coup.

Niger has aligned itself with other military-led governments in Mali and Burkina Faso, while calling for the withdrawal of French and Western military forces from the region.

Meanwhile, the West African bloc Ecowas, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, imposed sanctions and threatened military action if democratic rule was not restored.

Ecowas strongly rejected Tchiani’s allegations, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and security.

The bloc called the suggestion that Nigeria was supporting terrorism “absurd” and reiterated its stance for peace in West Africa.

As the situation continues to evolve, diplomatic relations between Niger and Nigeria remain at a delicate juncture, with both nations standing firm on their positions.