General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of Niger’s military junta, has leveled new accusations against Nigeria’s government, which the Nigerian authorities have swiftly rejected as false.
This exchange of allegations has further exacerbated the already fragile relationship between Nigeria and Niger, as well as with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In a broadcast on Radio-Télévision du Niger, Tchiani accused Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of collaborating with France to destabilize Niger. He also made severe claims, including that France had offered financial incentives to Tinubu in exchange for allowing French military forces to be deployed in Borno State, Nigeria.
Tchiani demanded that Tinubu disclose the amount of money he allegedly received, threatening consequences if the President remained silent.
The Nigerian government, through Information Minister Mohammed Idris, has dismissed these accusations as entirely unfounded.
The tension escalated earlier in December when Nigerien officials accused a group of terrorists, allegedly aided by foreign forces, including Nigeria’s, of attacking the Niger-Benin oil pipeline. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted these allegations and reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful relations with Niger.
The ongoing tensions stem from the July 2023 coup in Niger, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, prompting ECOWAS and other regional powers, including Nigeria, to impose sanctions and consider military intervention.
Tchiani’s accusations also touch on broader criticisms of ECOWAS, claiming the organization is under French influence, with many ECOWAS leaders allegedly seeking French financial backing ahead of elections.Tchiani further alleged that French military personnel were active in certain areas of Niger and even provided training to terrorists. He also accused France of supplying weapons to Boko Haram fighters in the Lake Chad region, including anti-aircraft weapons intended to target Chadian military aircraft.
These new allegations have significantly strained diplomatic ties between Niger and Nigeria.
