French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed France’s solidarity with Nigeria in addressing its security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the country’s northern region.
In a message posted on X on Sunday, Macron said he spoke with President Bola Tinubu and affirmed that France will strengthen its partnership with Nigerian authorities.
He wrote, “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT.
“I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.
“At his (Tinubu’s) 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. No one can remain a spectator,” the French President added.
Macron also stated that, in fulfillment of Tinubu’s request, his government will cooperate with the federal government to provide support for the affected populations.
Macron’s statement follows a wave of gunmen attacks and kidnappings, particularly in the northern region, that have drawn international condemnation.
Recall that President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations and threatened U.S. military intervention.
The Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of Christian persecution, insisting that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across all religions.
The situation has prompted the federal government to seek diplomatic aid from the international community.
On November 20, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Nigeria’s National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at the Pentagon to discuss strategies to solve the problem.
