Niger's junta accused Ukraine and France of supporting armed groups

Ali Mahaman Lamine Zine, the so-called prime minister of Niger, during a speech at the UN General Assembly, accused Ukraine and France of supporting armed groups, which are allegedly preparing to attack military positions and oil facilities in the country’s northeast, in the Sahel region.

According to the official, the attacks are to be carried out by armed “proxies,” whom he linked to attempts to “recolonize” the region. Zane claims that Paris and Kyiv are seeking to destabilize the central part of the Sahel due to the presence of large deposits of uranium in Niger, gold in Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as lithium, natural gas, and oil.

At the same time, Niger’s prime minister emphasized that his country does not seek confrontation with any other country and expressed a willingness to cooperate on security matters based on reciprocity, respect for sovereignty, and Niger’s strategic interests.

Source: Bénin Web TV.

Earlier, Niger’s junta claimed that France had allegedly instigated an attack by mutinous soldiers on a key military airbase in the country.

The Nigerien army has deployed 178 troops to the Mangou local government area in Plateau State amid new attacks and mounting security concerns.