Niger’s President Abdourahmane Tchiani is facing severe criticism from within his own country after accusing Nigeria of orchestrating a conspiracy against Niger, allegations that have sparked outrage both at home and abroad.
In a Christmas Day interview, Tchiani claimed that Nigeria had provided a base for French soldiers near Lake Chad and had set up training camps for terrorists in the Nigerian states of Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi. According to Tchiani, these actions were part of a larger scheme to destabilize Niger. However, the Nigerian government swiftly dismissed these allegations as baseless.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, have publicly rejected the claims, labeling them as false and designed to incite chaos. Ribadu pointed out that Nigeria has long resisted foreign military presence, notably during colonial times, and emphasized that Nigeria has no intention of hosting a French military base. He called on Tchiani to address his grievances with France directly rather than dragging Nigeria into the controversy.
Many Nigerien citizens have also voiced their disbelief on social media, suggesting that Tchiani is using these allegations as a scapegoat for his own failures in office, especially following the controversial coup that ousted his predecessor, Mohamed Bazoum, over 17 months ago. Critics argue that the country is facing severe challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, and fuel scarcity, yet Tchiani continues to focus on foreign threats instead of addressing these pressing issues.
Nigerien commentator Maidalili Namu expressed frustration with Tchiani’s leadership, claiming that the president’s failure to stabilize the country was evident in his repeated accusations of foreign interference. Namu pointed out that Tchiani’s speech on Christmas Day, which was filled with anti-France rhetoric, left little room for constructive discussion on Niger’s internal problems, such as flooding and the displacement of thousands of citizens due to terrorism.
Similarly, another Nigerien critic, Hamid Ahmadu, questioned the logic behind Tchiani’s accusations, pointing out the lack of action against the supposed terrorist hubs that he claims exist in the region. Ahmadu, along with other citizens, has called for greater accountability and a return to governance that focuses on the well-being of Niger’s people.
Meanwhile, Nigerian defense expert Zagazola, embedded in the country’s Northeast, reported that there is no evidence of a French military base in Borno State, countering Tchiani’s claims. He stressed that the regions mentioned by Tchiani are primarily controlled by local terrorist groups like ISWAP, not foreign military forces.
In response to Tchiani’s statements, Bwala condemned the allegations as a deliberate attempt to stir unrest in northern Nigeria, possibly in coordination with local politicians. He stressed that the Nigerian government was focused on regional cooperation and unity, especially in combating terrorism, and urged citizens to disregard the unfounded accusations.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also rallied behind Nigeria, condemning the allegations as politically motivated. Despite the backlash, Tchiani has continued to maintain his position, accusing several countries of conspiring to destabilize Niger, a claim that many believe reflects his regime’s inability to address the nation’s internal crises.
The unfolding situation has drawn mixed reactions within Nigeria, with some groups, like the Arewa Think Tank, attributing the tensions to political machinations aimed at undermining President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Others, such as the League of Northern Democrats, have expressed concern over the federal government’s response to the allegations, suggesting that Nigeria’s failure to curb the activities of insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP casts doubt on the government’s credibility.
As tensions rise between the two countries, it remains to be seen how this dispute will evolve, particularly given the complex geopolitical dynamics in West Africa.
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