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Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has alleged that French President Emmanuel Macron approved a plan by French intelligence services to remove “unwanted leaders” in Africa.
The SVR made the claim in a statement reported by Sputnik.
The agency alleged that attacks on civilians, fuel tankers, and blockades of cities in Mali were part of efforts to destabilise the country and undermine its leader, President Assimi Goita.
According to the SVR, Mali is the primary target of both the terrorists and the Ukrainian government, which provides the militants with instructors and drones.
China Global Television Network also shared similar allegations in a post on X.
The al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has been conducting a militant blockade in Mali since September 2025.
Armed fighters have attacked and destroyed hundreds of tanker trucks along important transportation routes. The fuel shortages led the Malian government to suspend school activities nationwide in October.
Education Minister Amadou Sy Savane said classes were halted for two weeks “due to fuel supply disruptions that are impacting the ability of school staff to travel.”
In a separate incident, Niger’s Diori Hamani International Airport was attacked near the capital, Niamey.
Nigerien authorities said the assault lasted about 30 minutes and resulted in 24 casualties and 11 arrests following a joint air and ground response by local and allied security forces.
After the attack, Niger’s head of state, Abdourahamane Tchiani, accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of involvement.
“We remind the sponsors of these mercenaries, notably Emmanuel Macron, Patrice Talon, and Alassane Ouattara: we’ve heard them bark quite enough; now they should get ready to listen to us,” Tchiani stated.
Tchiani accused France of “training, financing and equipping terrorists.”
He also claimed that France is attempting to foment “inter-ethnic conflict” in Niger and across the Sahel.
Earlier, during the United Nations General Assembly in September, Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine accused France of supporting efforts to destabilise Niger, claims that France has previously denied.
“Since French troops were cast out from Niger in 2023, the government of France has established a subversive, underhand plan to destabilise my country,” Zeine said.
In a separate development, Mali’s military-led government announced the arrest of two generals and a French national, accusing them of plotting to undermine the state. No court rulings have yet been reported in the case.
