Nigeria’s Stance on Niger and Relations with France: A Clarification by NSA Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has emphatically denied allegations of military cooperation between Nigeria and France concerning the ongoing situation in Niger. He categorically stated that Nigeria’s relationship with France is purely economic and devoid of any military dimension. These assertions were made during an interview with BBC Hausa, addressing concerns raised by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who accused Nigeria of allowing France to use its territory to destabilize Niger. Ribadu dismissed these claims as baseless and implausible, characterizing them as an attempt to strain relations between Nigeria and Niger.
Ribadu underscored Nigeria’s historical stance against hosting foreign military bases, emphasizing that even the United Kingdom, Nigeria’s former colonizer, has never established a military base within the country. He highlighted Nigeria’s consistent resistance to such proposals, even from the United States. In contrast, he noted that Niger has hosted foreign bases, including a US base that was recently expelled. This historical context, according to Ribadu, further reinforces the implausibility of Nigeria suddenly allowing France to use its territory for military operations against Niger. He reiterated that Nigeria’s relationship with France has always been rooted in economic cooperation, not military collaboration. While acknowledging Niger’s leadership’s concerns with France, Ribadu argued that it is unreasonable to expect Nigeria to sever ties with a long-standing economic partner over Niger’s internal disputes.
The NSA further emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, citing the country’s long-standing amicable relations with Chad, Benin Republic, and Cameroon. He questioned the logic behind suggestions that Nigeria would suddenly engage in actions to destabilize Niger, emphasizing the shared history, culture, and challenges facing both nations. He reiterated that Nigeria has no intention of sabotaging or destabilizing Niger and that the allegations are simply nonsensical given the established history of peaceful relations between the two countries.
Ribadu’s statements aim to dispel any misconceptions regarding Nigeria’s role in the Niger situation. He stressed that Nigeria’s focus is on regional stability and collaborative efforts to address shared security threats, particularly terrorism and banditry. He underscored the interconnectedness of the security challenges facing both nations, emphasizing that Nigerians and Nigeriens are essentially one people, and what affects one side inevitably affects the other. Therefore, cooperation, rather than conflict, is the necessary approach to address these shared challenges.
The NSA’s clarifications sought to reassure both domestic and international audiences of Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful resolution and regional stability. He emphasized the importance of understanding the context of Nigeria’s foreign relations, particularly its historical reluctance to host foreign military bases and its focus on economic cooperation with international partners. He sought to portray Nigeria as a responsible regional actor committed to peaceful coexistence and collaboration in addressing shared security challenges.
In conclusion, NSA Nuhu Ribadu’s statements represent a clear and unequivocal denial of any military involvement with France concerning the situation in Niger. He underscored Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful relations with its neighbors, highlighting the longstanding amicable ties with surrounding countries. He emphasized the shared security challenges faced by both Nigeria and Niger, particularly terrorism and banditry, and advocated for collaborative efforts to address these threats. His remarks aimed to dispel any misconceptions about Nigeria’s role and reaffirm its commitment to regional stability and peaceful coexistence. He framed the allegations as baseless attempts to strain relations and urged for understanding and cooperation in addressing the complex challenges facing the region.
