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NEWS

Niger Accuses France of Arming Terrorists to Destabilise Sahel, Lake Chad Region

September 23, 2025 • 2 min read

By Ademola Adekusibe
September 23, 2025

Niamey, Niger – Niger’s President and military leader, Abdourahmane Tchiani, has accused France of supplying weapons and supporting terrorist groups to destabilise countries in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

Speaking over the weekend on Niger’s National Television, Tchiani alleged that France, with support from Western allies, is deliberately fomenting insecurity to weaken the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

He claimed that France has provided arms to ISWAP fighters, contributing to continued violence in Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. Tchiani also accused Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of aligning with French President Emmanuel Macron in a manner that undermines regional security.

“France and its partners are determined to maintain a foothold in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are hoping one of our countries collapses, allowing them to return under the pretext of support,” Tchiani said.

He added that France and the United States have supplied drones and advanced weapons to terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin. According to Tchiani, the number of ISWAP fighters deployed to launch attacks in the region has steadily increased from 150 earlier this year to 250, with several incursions along Niger’s borders.

Tchiani highlighted the previous role of Nigerien and Chadian forces in supporting Nigeria’s fight against ISWAP, citing operations in Borno State that cleared areas from Damasak to Malam Fatori. He warned that the current support for insurgents represents a shift of conflict into Niger to undermine AES efforts.

He further accused France of exploiting Niger’s natural resources, including uranium and gold, for decades while leaving its citizens impoverished. Tchiani stated that the AES, established on September 16, 2024, aims to strengthen member states in security, diplomacy, and economic matters, and that it will resist foreign interference.

“France fears the success of AES because it threatens their longstanding exploitation of our resources. That is why they are arming terrorists, relocating the battlefield, and spreading propaganda to weaken our resolve,” Tchiani said.

The Nigerien leader called on the populations of Niger and neighbouring Sahel states to remain united and vigilant, emphasizing that collective resistance is essential for lasting peace and sovereignty.

France has not yet responded to the allegations, although Western governments have consistently denied supporting terrorist activities in the Sahel region.