Niger accuses France of instigating instability with "Trojan Horse" tactic

Niger has levelled new charges against France, accusing the European country of deploying the Trojan horse technique to destabilize the country.

The Nigerien Minister of the Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration, General Mohamed Toumba, explained that France is allegedly using the Trojan horse tactic to sabotage Niger, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He noted that France is partnering with Niger’s neighbours to disrupt the country.

Niger's relations with its previous colonizer, France, worsened following the July 2023 coup in Niger, which was marked by widespread protests near the French military station in Niger.

Following these incidents, the French embassy was attacked as well.

About a year later, France closed its embassy in Niger indefinitely as tensions between the two countries escalated, but not before all French troops were forced to leave the West African country.

As presently constituted, the relationship between France and Niger seems cold, as Niger has even gone as far as embarking on changing the narrative of its colonial relations with France. 

France indicated that local forces were unable to resolve the security issue on their own and that their soldiers were required. Toumba, however, said that it just supported the use of French troops to combat "jihadism."

French forces, he continued, avoided action, behaved without consequence, and failed to provide security. The situation therefore deteriorated. The minister also suggested that Nigeriens use extreme caution to contain the crisis.

Very recently, Niger suspended the operations of the British media company, BBC, owing to the suspicion that the company is trying to disrupt the country's peace.

On July 26, 2023, the Republic of Niger had a coup d'état when the country's presidential guard imprisoned President Mohamed Bazoum. Senior officers from several branches of the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) organized a junta known as the National Council for Homeland Security (CNSP).

Since then, the relationship between France and Niger has deteriorated significantly. In December 2023, France finalized the withdrawal of its troops from Niger, following an exit request from the country's junta government.

The exit concludes years of on-the-ground military assistance for a decade-long Islamist insurgency in Africa's Sahel area.

Initially hesitant, French President Emmanuel Macron declared in September that 1,500 troops would leave Niger before the end of the year.

By Aghakazim Guliyev