France has dismissed as “groundless” the claim by Niger Republic that Nigeria had provided space on its territory for France to use in efforts to destabilize the former French colony.
Bertrand de Seissan, the Political Counsellor at the French Embassy in Nigeria, made these comments in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
“This claim is baseless. It has never been discussed, nor suggested by either France or Nigeria,” de Seissan stated.
The remarks came in response to accusations from Nigerien military leader Abdourahamane Tchiani, who alleged that France was planning to destabilize Niger by using neighboring Benin and Nigeria as staging grounds for attacks.
Tchiani, during an interview with TRT Hausa, also accused France of negotiating with terrorist groups in Nigeria to undermine his country, alleging that France made a “substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu” to establish a military base in Nigeria.
“They (France) met and negotiated with Boko Haram home the Lakurawa group” Tchiani claimed.