Niger's prime minister accuses Ukraine, France of backing groups planning attacks on oil facilities
Niger's Prime Minister Lamine Zeine Ali Mahaman has accused Ukraine and France of supporting armed groups that he said were preparing attacks on Niger's military positions and oil facilities, without providing evidence for the claim.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Zeine said armed groups operating near Niger's northeastern border were being led by France and supported by Ukraine and two other countries, which he did not identify.
He did not name the groups or provide evidence linking Ukraine or France to them.
Zeine made the accusation as part of a broader claim that France, with what he called the "active complicity of Ukraine," was seeking to destabilize the central Sahel and regain influence over the region and its natural resources.
The UN's own summary of Zeine's address said he accused France and its proxies of attempting to destabilize the central Sahel and planning attacks on military positions and oil installations.
Niger has previously made similar accusations against Ukraine. In February, the country's military leader Abdourahamane Tchiani claimed Ukrainian and French forces were operating in northern Benin. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry denied the allegation and said no Ukrainian troops had been deployed to Benin.
Zeine said Niger was not seeking confrontation with other countries and remained open to security cooperation based on mutual interests and respect for its sovereignty.
Later in his address, Zeine described Russia, along with Togo, Turkey, Morocco and China, as among Niger's "friends, true friends."