France has rejected allegations from Niger’s military junta that Nigeria is collaborating with France to undermine Niger’s government. Claims made by General Tchiani of Niger were labeled as baseless by both the French and Nigerian governments, emphasizing their cordial relations. Nigerian officials stress the necessity of international partnerships, including those with France, in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in light of the turmoil originating from Libya.
On Wednesday, the French government strongly rejected allegations from the leader of Niger’s military junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming that Nigeria had offered its territory to establish a base for operations aimed at destabilizing Niger. Mr. Bertrand de Seissan, the Political Counsellor at the French Embassy in Nigeria, stated that such claims were completely unfounded and had never been discussed by either France or Nigeria. These allegations arose following Tchiani’s assertions that France was engaging with terrorist factions in Nigeria to undermine his administration.
Tchiani had alleged that France was collaborating with Nigeria and had made substantial payments to President Bola Tinubu for military bases in Nigeria. He indicated that these bases would be utilized to orchestrate attacks against his regime, even going as far to claim that France was negotiating with terrorist groups like Boko Haram. In response, the Nigerian government characterized Tchiani’s allegations as fully baseless and expressed grave concern regarding the unfounded statements.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly dismissed Tchiani’s accusations, emphasizing that there were no French military forces positioned within Nigeria for hostile purposes. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, reiterated that Nigeria values its longstanding cordial relationship with France, asserting that the country would not sever ties due to the statements made by Tchiani. He emphasized the necessity of partnerships among major global powers, including France, in addressing regional security challenges.
The Minister pointed out that security issues in the region are exacerbated by the situation in Libya, which requires cooperative relations with myriad nations to ensure stability. Ambassador Tuggar cautioned against allowing other nations to influence Nigeria’s diplomatic relationships, insisting that maintaining global partnerships is essential. Lastly, President Emmanuel Macron of France criticized claims regarding France’s withdrawal from the Sahel, suggesting leadership in the region had become ungrateful for France’s historical contributions to regional security.
The recent allegations from Niger’s military leadership against France and Nigeria stem from rising tensions in the Sahel region, where France has been engaged in counter-terrorism operations for years. After several military coups in the region, including the takeover in Niger, these nations have been navigating complex relationships, balancing their historical ties with external powers against rising anti-French sentiments within their populations. The context of insecurity in the Sahel, influenced by terrorist activities and instability from conflicts in Libya, highlights the intricacies of regional cooperation and foreign engagements.
In conclusion, the allegations made by General Tchiani regarding France’s collaboration with Nigeria to destabilize Niger have been firmly denied by both nations. The strong responses from French officials and the Nigerian government underscore the importance of diplomatic dialogue and maintaining partnerships with global powers to address multifaceted security challenges in the region. Maintaining respectful relations is deemed crucial for both countries’ stability and mutual interests, despite the evolving political landscape in the Sahel.
Original Source: punchng.com
