Africa

Tensions Rise as Nigeria Denies Sabotage Allegations from Niger’s Leader

Published

16 hours ago

Dec 27, 2024.

Nigeria Denies Niger’s Allegations
Gen. Tchiani Accuses Nigeria of Collaborating with France
ECOWAS Comes to Nigeria’s defense

Nigeria has dismissed allegations by Niger’s military leader, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, accusing the country of colluding with France to destabilize Niger’s junta-led government.

The accusations were made during a Christmas Day interview in which Gen. Tchiani claimed that France, allegedly in collaboration with militant groups in the Lake Chad region, sought to undermine Niger’s security with Nigeria’s tacit knowledge.

“Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move,” Tchiani was quoted as saying by AFP.

In a swift rebuttal, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, called the allegations “baseless” and “false.” Ribadu stated, “Nigeria would never sabotage Niger or allow any disaster to befall it.”

Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, echoed these sentiments, describing the claims as unfounded and a diversionary tactic to mask the junta’s governance challenges. “These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination. Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France—or any other country—to destabilize Niger Republic,” Idris asserted.

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ECOWAS also came to Nigeria’s defense, issuing a statement refuting Gen. Tchiani’s accusations. “For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security in several countries, not only in the West African subregion but also across the African continent,” the bloc said. It added that it was inconceivable for Nigeria to become “a state sponsor of terrorism.”

The tensions have escalated as Niger, alongside fellow military-led states Mali and Burkina Faso, formed a security alliance and demanded the withdrawal of French and other Western military bases from their territories.

These developments mark a deepening rift in regional diplomacy, with Nigeria and ECOWAS standing firm against the junta’s actions and Niger accusing its neighbors of meddling in its affairs.

With both sides trading accusations, the standoff underscores the fragile security and governance challenges facing the West African region.