Niger-France Saga: Federal Government’s Response Insufficient, Says LND
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The League of Northern Democracy (LND), a pro-democracy group in Northern Nigeria, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s response to allegations by Niger’s military leader accusing France of complicity in funding Boko Haram insurgency.
In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Dr. Ladan Salihu, the group described the government’s reaction as inadequate, raising more questions than it answers, particularly given France’s historical role in destabilizing regions to exploit natural resources.
The LND noted that while the Federal Government outrightly denied colluding with France to destabilize Niger, France’s long-standing history of covertly supporting insurgencies and engaging in resource-driven interference in Africa casts doubt on the credibility of the denial.
The group pointed out that despite Nigeria’s claims of commitment to combating terrorism, insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to acquire sophisticated weaponry, including drones, which are typically accessible only through state-sponsored channels or illicit global arms networks.
It questioned why the government has failed to intercept these supply chains for nearly two decades and demanded explanations regarding the facilitators behind these networks.
The group also challenged the Federal Government’s narrative of President Bola Tinubu’s exemplary leadership as ECOWAS Chairman, arguing that regional tensions have worsened, with five member states severing ties with France and three withdrawing from the regional body.
Nigeria’s endorsement of ECOWAS sanctions and its earlier calls for military intervention in Niger, fully backed by France, have further strained bilateral relations and worsened the plight of ordinary Nigeriens.
The LND argued that these actions undermine Nigeria’s claims of fostering peace in the region and highlight a disconnect between the government’s rhetoric and its actions.
The statement also criticized the government’s emphasis on refusing foreign military bases as a deflection from the central issue of how insurgents gain access to advanced weaponry.
While the government highlighted development projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway as evidence of its commitment to Niger’s progress, the LND argued that delays and controversies surrounding these projects, often linked to regional instability, question the government’s sincerity in addressing the root causes of insecurity.
On the issue of terrorism within Nigeria’s borders, the group dismissed the government’s denial of the existence of a “Lakurawa terrorist headquarters” in Sokoto State, citing evidence of insurgent strongholds across the region.
It argued that the persistence of terrorism in Northern Nigeria indicates either a lack of capacity or complicity, and that dismissing allegations without transparency only fuels public skepticism.
The LND concluded that the Federal Government’s response to these serious allegations, while rhetorically strong, lacks concrete evidence and fails to address the core issues raised by Niger’s military leader.
It emphasized that France’s notorious history of destabilizing regions for its own interests, coupled with the long-running insurgency in Northern Nigeria and the sophisticated weaponry used by the insurgents, demands a more robust and transparent approach.
The group called on the government to provide credible answers to fundamental questions, including the alleged role of France, the sources of weapons and funding for insurgents, and the measures in place to dismantle these networks and prevent external interference.
Failure to comprehensively address these issues, the LND warned, risks portraying the government’s stance as mere deflection rather than a genuine commitment to resolving the crisis.
