France on Wednesday described as “groundless” the allegation by Niger Republic that Nigeria had offered its territory to France as a base to destabilise the former French colony.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, the Political Counsellor to the Embassy of France in Nigeria, Mr. Bertrand de Seissan, refuted the claim made by the leader of Niger military junta, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Tchiani had recently alleged that Nigeria was colluding with France to undermine his country.
He accused France of plotting to destabilise his country by using neighbouring Benin and Nigeria as bases for attacks.
Tchiani, speaking in Hausa during an interview, alleged that France was negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to undermine his government.
He also claimed that France had made a “substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu” to establish a military base in Nigeria.
“They (France) met and negotiated with Boko Haram/Bakurawa (a possible variation of Lakurawa, a new terrorist group in Nigeria),” Tchiani alleged.
However, speaking with NAN, the French Embassy’s political counsellor said:
“This allegation is groundless. This has never been discussed, nor even suggested by either France or Nigeria.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has also vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as unfounded and baseless.
In a statement by its spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed “serious concern” about Tchiani’s allegations and “states categorically that there are no French military troops in the northern part of the country preparing to destabilise the Government of Niger. “
YThe ministry said, “These allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety. It is important to state that the relationship between Nigeria and France has always been cordial, and it is guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
“Nigeria will continue to explore all peaceful means to maintain its cordial relationship with the Republic of Niger for the benefit of the people of both countries.”
Furthermore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday, further refuted the claim but said Nigeria would not sever its relationship with France.
Tuggar said, “We have always had a relationship with France, it did not start today and there is nothing different about our relationship with France today but it does not mean that other countries or other people have to dictate to Nigeria who it should have a relationship with.”
The minister argued that addressing insecurity and terrorism required partnerships with multiple global powers, including France, the United States, and Russia.
“We cannot tackle the issue of insecurity in our region simply by a partnership or by being friends with the Sahelian countries. Even if you do that you still have Libya to contend with.
“I just finished describing to you the weaponry that is being churned out of Libya; training, fighters, terrorists, criminal gangs and so on and so forth.
“To solve Libya we need a relationship with France, we need a relationship with the United States of America, we need a relationship with Russia, we need a relationship with all of these major powers,” he explained.
He highlighted the challenges posed by weaponry and fighters emanating from Libya, stressing that a broad coalition is necessary for lasting regional stability.
You cannot say that ‘Oh no, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have decided after all these years they no longer want to have anything to do with France therefore Nigeria must be compelled’ and meanwhile Nigeria is the senior partner in the relationship, to begin with.
“It is shortsighted, myopic, and not in Nigeria’s national interest,” the minister concluded.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at a foreign policy conference at the Élysée Palace, dismissed claims that France had been forced out of the Sahel region.
Macron referred to Sahelian leaders as “ungrateful” and suggested that their citizens have shifted priorities away from combating terrorism.
By Gift Habib with Agency report @ThepUNCH
