The recent statements by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, have stirred a storm of controversy and raised serious questions regarding the involvement of France and some Nigerian officials in clandestine activities within the Sahel. General Tchiani’s claims, particularly his accusation that France is using Nigerian territory for secretive operations, should not be taken lightly. These revelations, where the general named specific individuals, including Ambassador Ahmadu Rufai, former Director General of Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the serving National Security Advisor, shed light on the deep political and geopolitical maneuvering taking place beneath the surface.
General Tchiani’s decision to publicly name names is more than just an outburst or a political gesture; it reflects the high-stakes game of international intrigue at play. While it is not for me to claim outright complicity, the specific mention of individuals with significant power in Nigeria’s intelligence and security apparatus indicates that there may be more than meets the eye. One cannot ignore the potential connection between these names and the deeper machinations of France, an old colonial power with vested interests in the region.
France, a former colonial power with significant influence over much of West Africa, especially the Sahel, has a long history of maintaining control over its former colonies through economic, military, and political means. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s recent shift towards military juntas is seen by many as a direct response to perceived French overreach. It is crucial to understand that France will do whatever it takes to regain its influence, particularly in the face of these increasingly hostile relations.
The Sahel holds unique and unmatched strategic value to the West, not just due to its geopolitical position but because of the immense natural resources it harbors. Beneath its vast and often desolate lands lies some of the world’s richest deposits of uranium, a crucial material for nuclear energy production. The region also holds vast reserves of precious metals, stones, and underground freshwater sources, which will be indispensable in the coming decades. By 2050, these freshwater reserves will become even more critical, as water scarcity becomes one of the greatest global challenges.
Historically, the Sahel has been home to military bases and installations from Western powers. Before the recent expulsion of French and U.S. military presence in the region, the Sahel hosted 52 military bases and installations, a testament to the West’s strategic interest in controlling the region. The West’s heavy military presence was a clear indicator of the importance of this region. But now, as many of these powers are being forced out, questions arise about their continued influence and the lengths they will go to reassert their dominance.
Wherever mineral deals are made in Africa—be it in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Niger, or elsewhere—there are often clauses that specify the role of security in protecting these valuable resources. This raises an important question: Will Nigeria’s already stretched military be called upon to guard these resource-rich areas, potentially under the auspices of France? Why, for example, did President Bola Tinubu lift the ban on mining in Zamfara, a state plagued by banditry and insecurity?
Zamfara, along with other northern Nigerian states like Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Kwara, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kogi, and others, contains vast mineral wealth. However, these areas also suffer from persistent insecurity, with bandits, insurgents, and terrorists wreaking havoc. The government is aware of the dangers in these zones, yet little has been done to properly deploy military resources or technology, such as drones, to combat the criminals operating in these spaces. Why, with the increasing technological capabilities of modern warfare, is Nigeria failing to address these security challenges effectively?
Historically also, France has regretted its decision not to fully annex northern Nigeria, especially when later geological studies revealed the region’s vast mineral and natural resource potential. This regret has, in part, fueled France’s continuous attempts to unsettle and shortchange Nigeria. From the Nigerian Civil War to the Bakassi Peninsula conflict, from smuggling networks through Benin to supporting insurgencies in the region, France has not been shy in trying to manipulate events to its benefit.
France’s involvement in these matters is not simply about protecting its economic interests; it is also about maintaining strategic influence. The resources of northern Nigeria, and the wider Sahel region, have become a matter of intense interest for global powers. France, seeking to maintain its hold over its former colonies and regional allies, is likely to go to great lengths to ensure that it remains an influential player.
For many, General Tchiani’s statements may not come as a surprise. Perhaps what is new, however, is the specific names and details that have been shared. The general’s public revelations appear to be a final attempt to expose and disrupt the covert dealings taking place in the region. It is important to remember that Tchiani’s position is precarious. Like a cat backed into a corner, he is turning on those who have pursued him. His statements are a reflection of the growing frustration among leaders in the Sahel who feel they are being exploited and manipulated by foreign powers, particularly France.
Tchiani’s actions also stand in stark contrast to the position of President Tinubu, whose first foreign policy move was to support the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force to intervene in Niger and restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power. This stance demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the region’s dynamics—national interests often cannot be overridden by regional norms or external pressure. By taking ECOWAS to side with France in this manner, President Tinubu risks alienating not only Niger but also other nations in the Sahel and Africa, who may see his actions as aligning with the interests of former colonial powers.
The situation in Niger and the wider Sahel region requires more than just political statements; it demands a thorough reevaluation of the role that external powers, especially France, play in shaping the destiny of these countries.
The fulcrum broken by General Tchiani is only the tip of the iceberg. A complex web of geopolitics, resource control, and national security is being knitted. The old patterns of colonial influence are far from gone, and the stakes for the Sahel are higher than ever before. For Nigeria, the time has come to ask critical questions and reconsider its role in the global scramble for Africa’s resources.
