NIGERIANS SAY FRANCE ARMING BOKO HARAM

Last week, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was on a three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. Following the visit, they both shared heartfelt messages - a mix of French, Pidgin and English - on X, expressing appreciation for their growing bond and strengthening ties. Yet, Macron and his government have been accused of sponsoring the notorious terrorist group Boko Haram, which is active in Northern Nigeria. Are these concerns that Tinubu touched on during his state visit?

This resurfaced clip is from a December 2019 protest outside the French Embassy in Abuja, organised by the Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism (MAST). MAST accused the French government of arming Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) militia, particularly to exploit economic resources in the Lake Chad Basin region. Although Nigeria is not a former French colony, MAST alleges that President Macron's administration is destabilising the nation, along with other African nations in the region, as part of a broader attempt at what they call recolonisation.

In her speech, Princess Ajibola, the leader of MAST, asserted that France exploits its former colonies under the colonial pact and redirects the funds from this exploitation to sponsor terrorist activities across Africa. MAST called for accountability for Macron and his government, but their concerns have yet to receive any meaningful response.

Video credit: @Choice TV Africa (YouTube)

Sources:

https://www.thecable.ng/is-france-truly-the-face-of-boko-haram/

https://thenationonlineng.net/boko-haram-stop-sponsoring-terrorism-in-africa-protesters-tell-macron/#google_vignette

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/12/group-accuses-france-of-sponsoring-terrorism/#google_vignette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwkSee39d18

https://x.com/officialABAT/status/1862203486051467735

https://www.dw.com/en/frances-macron-hosts-nigerias-tinubu-for-talks-in-paris/a-70913942