Niger’s military ruler, Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire of backing a recent attack on Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport, an allegation that has sharply raised diplomatic tensions in West Africa.
Speaking on state television, Tiani said the assault, which has since been claimed by the Islamic State group, was supported by foreign governments seeking to destabilise Niger following the 2023 coup that brought the junta to power. He alleged that the three countries provided logistical and political backing to armed groups operating against the Nigerien state.
The airport attack, which targeted security installations near the capital’s main international gateway, did not disrupt commercial flights for long but triggered heightened security measures across Niamey. Authorities said several attackers were killed or arrested during the incident.
France, Niger’s former colonial ruler, has been a frequent target of accusations by the junta since French troops were expelled from the country. Paris has repeatedly denied any involvement in militant activity in Niger and has condemned attacks by jihadist groups operating in the Sahel.
Benin and Côte d’Ivoire have also rejected the claims, with officials in both countries saying they respect Niger’s sovereignty and have no links to armed groups. Regional diplomats described the accusations as serious and potentially damaging to efforts aimed at restoring stability and cooperation in the region.
Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, has seen a surge in militant attacks linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliates in recent years. The three junta-led states have since withdrawn from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS and formed a separate alliance, citing what they describe as external interference and security failures.
The latest accusations come amid strained relations between Niger’s military government and several Western and regional partners, raising concerns that diplomatic rifts could further complicate joint efforts to address insecurity in the Sahel.
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