President Bola Tinubu has sought more help from France to fight widespread security challenges in the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday.
Mr Macron said he had a phone call with Mr Tinubu yesterday, where he conveyed France’s support to Nigeria as it grapples with several security challenges, “particularly the terrorist threat in the North.”
“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement,” Mr Macron said in a post on X.
“No one can remain a spectator,” he added.
His comments come amid heightened global attention on Nigeria’s internal security challenges, following repeated claims by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump, that Christian communities in the northern part of the country were facing increasing persecution.
The Nigerian government has said it welcomes help to fight insecurity as long as its sovereignty is respected, rightfully rejecting the claims which it says misrepresent a complex security situation in which armed groups target both faith groups.
Due to its exit from some of its former French colonies, France has sought fresh allies on the African continent, with the call between both presidents reiterating the growing relationship. France has previously supported efforts to curtail the actions of armed groups.