The head of Niger’s Transitional Military Council, Abderrahmane Chiani, confirmed that French intelligence has worked to destabilize his country.
In an interview with the press, Chiani noted that Niger has information about meetings of French intelligence elements with terrorist movements, aimed at undermining the stability of the country.
Niger decided to get rid of French military forces in the country, following a similar withdrawal of Paris from Mali and Burkina Faso.
France has suspended counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, opening the door to confrontation between new military regimes and jihadist groups.
France has deployed about 5,000 troops as part of the anti-jihadist operation Barkhane in cooperation with the armies of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, after receiving special forces support from European partners and intelligence and logistical support from the Americans.
With a series of coups, the three countries demanded the departure of the French, representing a profound loss of Western influence in the region.