Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has asked France to step up assistance in tackling the surge of violence in northern Nigeria, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday 8 December, according to reporting from Reuters. The appeal comes weeks after the United States warned it could take action to protect Nigeria’s Christian communities.
Nigeria has seen a sharp rise in attacks across its northern regions in the past month, including mass kidnappings from schools and a church. Washington has accused Nigeria of failing to safeguard Christians, raising the possibility of military intervention. Abuja rejects the claim, saying armed groups target both Christians and Muslims in a complex and worsening security environment.
Macron said he spoke with Tinubu by phone and pledged France’s backing as Nigeria confronts multiple security threats “particularly the terrorist threat in the North.” He added on X that France would strengthen its partnership with Nigerian authorities and increase support for affected communities, urging other international partners to do the same.
Macron did not detail what additional help France might provide. Paris has withdrawn its troops from several West and Central African countries and now focuses on training, intelligence sharing and targeted assistance on request.
Nigeria continues to battle a range of security crises, including a long-running Islamist insurgency in the northeast, armed kidnapping gangs in the northwest and deadly clashes between herders and farmers in central states. These overlapping conflicts have placed severe pressure on the country’s security forces.
The United States said last month it was weighing measures including sanctions and expanded Pentagon counterterrorism cooperation to press Nigeria to better protect Christian communities. Abuja has said it is open to international support provided Nigerian sovereignty is respected. France, the United States and Britain have all contributed military training, intelligence or arms in past efforts to bolster Nigeria’s security response.
Written by The Daily Friend and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.
