France has rejected accusations by Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, that it collaborated with Nigeria to destabilize Niger. Bertrand de Seissan, the Political Counsellor to the French Embassy in Nigeria, described the allegations as “groundless” in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
“These allegations are groundless. This has never been discussed, nor even suggested by either France or Nigeria,” de Seissan stated firmly.
Tchiani, who has led Niger since a coup in July 2023, recently accused France of engaging with terrorists in Nigeria to undermine Niger’s stability. Speaking in Hausa during an interview, Tchiani alleged that France had negotiated with militant groups and made financial payments to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria. He further claimed France collaborated with Boko Haram and a group he referred to as “Bakurawa.”
France’s denial underscores its ongoing tensions with Niger following the coup that ousted the government of President Mohamed Bazoum, a key French ally. The accusations also come amid strained relations between Niger and its neighbors in West Africa, with the region facing heightened insecurity and political instability.
Both France and Nigeria have yet to provide further comments on these allegations, which add to the complex dynamics of the Sahel region’s political and security crises.
