Niger Prime Minister accuses France and Ukraine of Sahel destabilization at UN

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine issued a strong warning regarding regional security and sovereignty. He accused France of conducting a “perfidious enterprise” to destabilize the Sahel, alleging that France is working with the “active complicity” of Ukraine to target Niger's military positions and oil installations. Zeine characterized the regional instability not as mere religious conflict or rebellion, but as a “war of liberation” against a conspiracy to recolonize the Sahel for its natural resources, including uranium, gold, lithium, and oil.

Zeine also highlighted the resilience of Niger, stating the nation has remained “standing” despite previous international sanctions and isolation. He credited this stability to the solidarity of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the significant support from Algeria. He noted that Algeria has provided substantial investment in Niger's natural resource exploitation and constant support for its defense system, alongside cooperation in health, education, and energy projects like the tripartite gas pipeline.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the AES is a vital force for regional security and that Niger intends to maintain full control over its territory, resources, and political future.