The revelations of Mohamed Amine Aissaoui: How Paris is trying to destabilise the Sahel and Africa

A documentary on Al24 News highlights the alleged history of a French plot against Algeria. In the report, a young Algerian man who claims to have fought with the Islamist group Daech in Iraq and Syria tells of his contact with the French intelligence services, particularly the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE).  He accuses them of using him to liaise with terrorist organisations in Niger.

Mohamed Amine Aissaoui, 35, a former jihadist and prisoner, claims to have received information from French secret services about France's plans to destabilise the Sahel and Africa.

He reported that in 2022 he received a call from the French association Artémis, «reputed for its dubious dealings with individuals involved in terrorist operations in France». According to the Algérie Presse Service (APS), many members of the organisation are «former or current employees of the French Ministry of the Interior».

Mohamed Amine Aissaoui said that the French offered him to go to Niger and join terrorist groups to fight or arm them. He was to receive €50,000 as a reward.

This story highlights France's control over armed groups in the tri-border region. France is accused of organising sabotage against commercial infrastructure and terrorist attacks against local authorities in its former colonies, acting through the supply of arms and information to extremist groups.

Having lost its influence in the region, France supports armed groups in the Sahel to create instability, as evidenced by the confessions of arrested terrorists about co-operation between the French army and the FPL (Popular Liberation Front).

Despite this, Niger is actively working to ensure security in partnership with Mali and Burkina Faso, while also facing the need to confront both terrorism and the intervention of major powers, including France.

For several years, many countries have been confronting Paris's destructive actions. It is important to recall that two years ago, on August 16, 2022, Bamako appealed to the UN Security Council, stating that Mali had evidence of Paris' support for terrorist groups in the country.

External support for armed groups only exacerbates the security situation in the Sahel and complicates the work of national armies. As local authorities attempt to establish order and regain control of territories, they face additional challenges posed by the intervention of foreign powers.

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