Niger

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of State and Government, Ladies and Gentlemen Heads of Delegation, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the distinct honor to convey to you, on behalf of the sovereign Nigerien people, the greetings and the message of His Excellency Army General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State.

Allow me first of all to extend to you, Madam President, my sincere congratulations on your election to the presidency of this 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Niger assures you of its full support in the accomplishment of your mission. I would also like to salute the commitment and leadership of your predecessor in conducting the 79th session.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before getting to the heart of the matter, I would like to say that Niger supports the address delivered on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, from this same podium, by my brother and friend, H.E. Abdoulaye Maïga, Prime Minister of Mali, yesterday, 26 September 2025. He thus forcefully expressed the aspirations of our Confederation and its people for respect of our sovereignty, the defense of our interests and sincere cooperation with all countries devoted to peace and justice.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to solemnly express here the will of the sovereign Nigerien people, through its Government, to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with all Governments and peoples devoted to peace and justice; this in respect of the values and principles defined by the Charter of the United Nations, of our sovereignty and of our interests.

How, indeed, could it be otherwise, when we know that throughout their history, the peoples of the Nigerien space and of the Sahel in general, rich in their great social and cultural diversity, have always known how to draw on their ancestral values to weave centuries-old bonds and coexist harmoniously among themselves and with their neighbors.

Among these values that found our social bond, our unity and our common aspirations, prominent among them are inter-ethnic intermingling and joking kinship, respect for otherness, religious tolerance and solidarity.

Throughout our history, we have strengthened the intermingling among the Hausa, Zarma, Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Gourmantché, Toubou, Arab, and Boudouma populations. This intermingling has allowed us to create blood ties and indestructible alliances among Nigeriens.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you can see, the Nigerien people, the peoples of the Sahel, have a great tradition of living together in diversity and solidarity.

In the vast, often harsh expanses of the Sahel, our peoples very quickly understood the necessity of organizing themselves, of creating bonds, of cooperating with one another to live in peace and security in their shared space. These peoples understood that standing together and being in solidarity is not merely an option for being stronger, but the condition of their survival.

It is for this reason that we naturally support any initiative that goes in the direction of international cooperation and solidarity to achieve our common objectives of peace, development and well-being for all.

It is for the same reason that we rise up against any initiative and any action that undermines the efforts of the international community to ensure peace and development.

On the strength of these principles, the Nigerien people condemns without reservation the Israeli genocide in Gaza and gives its strongest support to the creation of a sovereign Palestinian State.

Likewise, Niger firmly condemns the Israeli aggressions against Iran and Qatar and protests against the trivialization of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Sudan and in the Sahel amid the total indifference of the international community; indeed, the complicity of certain powers foreign to the African continent.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The direct actors intervening openly in conflicts are not the only ones responsible for the insecurity and uncertainty the world is experiencing today. Indeed, Niger also wishes to denounce the inaction of all those who have the means to act in favor of truth and peace, the silence of those whose voice carries weight, the indifference of the selfish who are ready to destabilize countries and an entire region for their sole interests, the lack of humanity of those who act deceitfully to sow death among others, and the folly of the traitors to their homeland and their continent.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Inaction, indifference and complicit silence, on the one hand, and on the other, underhanded and subversive actions of destabilization, a violent campaign of disinformation and information warfare; such are the realities that my country and the Confederation of Sahel States (AES Confederation) face in our fight against imported and sponsored terrorism. Niger in particular has been living this since 26 July 2023, the date from which the sovereign Nigerien people decided to take its destiny into its own hands.

Indeed, one must have a good understanding of the complexity of the drama being lived in the Sahel, its stakes, its ins and outs, to understand not only the game played by the various actors, but also the determination of our peoples and their Governments to fight victoriously to meet the challenge, whatever sacrifice must be made and however long it takes.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The usual narrative would have us explain the situation in the Sahel by the fall of Colonel Gaddafi's regime in 2011 and the collapse of the Libyan State, which caused a flood of armed groups and the spillage of large quantities of weapons into our region. Others still cite the victory of the Algerian people over terrorism in the 1990s-2000s, which had the consequence of shifting the conflict to the Sahel through terrorist elements who found refuge in the Sahara and part of the Sahel.

To this must be added the indisputable fact that, as the armies of foreign Western powers established themselves in the countries of the Sahel, notably in Mali, Niger and Burkina, supposedly to help them face this threat, we witnessed an equally progressive extension and intensification of the terrorist phenomenon in the region.

Finally, it is equally accepted as an indisputable truth that not only are the true and principal terrorist leaders not originally from our Sahelian space, but also that they have significant logistical means, a particular mode of operation, and display a blind and unprecedented violence that is entirely foreign to our geographic and cultural space. Indeed, our countries have certainly known, in their history and in the still-recent past, wars waged in the name of religion and episodes of rebellion, but have never known gratuitous and indiscriminate murderous violence of the scale of what we are experiencing today.

For all these reasons, you will agree that this is indeed imported terrorism, and by design.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is also sponsored terrorism. Indeed, the question truly arises of the financing of the terrorists as well as the destination of all the resources they have captured for more than a decade.

Indeed, how can one understand that terrorists could sustain such a war effort over time? Furthermore, it is worth noting the fortunate coincidence whereby the locality of Kidal, a retreat point for terrorists and other traffickers, was liberated by the Malian army in the last quarter of 2023, at the very same time that the French army was leaving Niger.

Moreover, the Government of Niger, like the Governments of Mali and Burkina, has regularly brought to public attention evidence of the involvement of several foreign powers in the destabilization of the AES countries through the support they provide to terrorists.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

From this podium, I wish to denounce the acknowledged and claimed support of France for terrorism in the Sahel and in Niger in particular.

Indeed, since the expulsion of its troops from Niger in 2023, as announced, the [French] Government has put in place a genuine underhanded and subversive plan to destabilize my country, which consists, among other things, of:

• gathering intelligence on, training, financing and equipping terrorists;
• unfortunate attempts to create the conditions for inter-ethnic conflict in Niger and the Sahel;
• a campaign of disinformation and manipulation to discredit my country, its institutions, its political leaders and its army;
• maintaining and fueling permanent political tension between my country and some of our neighbors.

To this must be added the unprecedented economic and financial war, which consists notably in France's hateful determination to sabotage all our development projects by demobilizing certain investors and by systematically voting against my country within all international financial institutions such as the AfDB, the IMF and the World Bank.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

What is happening today in our Sahel region and in Niger in particular is the result of several factors.

First, an unsettled colonial legacy: Nigeriens have never forgotten the particularly unprecedented violence that characterized the colonial occupation. The infamous Voulet and Chanoine mission and other military expeditions distinguished themselves by the death and torture on a grand scale that they sowed in Tera, Djoundjou, Doutchi, Konni, Tessaoua and Zinder.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

From this august podium, my country, Niger, addresses the conscience of the world, to point a finger at this hostile force which, since the 19th century, has not laid down its arms, and which still today wages a total war against my country, as evidenced by:

The assassination, on 27 November 2021, in Tera, of young demonstrators by the French army, and the threat of military intervention by ECOWAS, instrumentalized by France;

The abject terrorism sponsored by France, which commits odious crimes within the AES space, notably that of Fambita where, on 21 March 2025, forty-four (44) Muslim faithful were coldly executed in the middle of prayer;

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

These crimes moreover remind us of those committed by France in Niger since 1899, which still bleed in our collective memory.

In the name of Human Rights, I speak of the innocent victims of the Central Africa Mission, I speak of the towns and villages pillaged and burned, I speak of the massacres of Djoundjou and Lougou, I speak of the martyred towns:

• of Kouran Kalgo, where the population was entirely exterminated,
• of Birni N'Konni, where more than 7,000 dead were thrown into mass graves,

I speak on behalf of pregnant women disemboweled and fetuses thrown to scavengers,

I speak on behalf of women raped and young girls hanged,

I speak on behalf of men shot and resistance fighters beheaded.

In the name of my country, Niger, I solemnly ask France to fulfill its duty of remembrance, and to acknowledge its crimes.

On this matter, the Government of Niger has set up a Commission of experts, academics and scientists to study this dark period of our history and write the true history of our country, in order to reestablish the facts, reclaim our history, and give our great people back their full dignity.

Next, the pillaging of our resources, to the detriment of Nigeriens and the environment. Indeed, after half a century of exploitation, Uranium has brought Nigeriens nothing but misery, pollution, rebellion, corruption and desolation, and has brought the French prosperity and power.

Also, since the advent of the CNSP and Niger's decision to exercise sovereignty over its resources, the French Government, in disarray, is seeking to drag us into endless lawsuits to halt the exploitation of our mineral resources.

Finally, France's grip on Nigerien political life and the presence of French troops in Niger. Indeed, until 26 July 2023, France always considered Niger as part of its backyard, indeed its property.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would, however, like to say forcefully that far from breaking our momentum, the adversity we face has strengthened our determination to fight the terrorists and their sponsors to final victory. Also, we can already take satisfaction in certain structuring results achieved.

What the Nigerien people has succeeded in doing since 26 July 2023, with the CNSP's seizure of power, is to set our country on a new trajectory that, this time, carries hope.

What we have succeeded in doing is to send out of our country, without hatred or violence, the forces that hindered our sovereignty and prevented our Defense and Security Forces from building up the strength to accomplish their missions effectively.

What we have succeeded in doing is to denounce all the unjust contracts, legislative texts, treaties and conventions that did not serve Niger's interest. It is a strong signal to all those accustomed to, or intending to, pillage Niger that henceforth our country will defend its interests without complacency.

What we have succeeded in doing is the affirmation of our sovereignty over our natural resources, long plundered and pillaged by foreign powers and their local lackeys.

What we have succeeded in doing is the unity of our people on questions of national interest. Henceforth, all Nigeriens look in the same direction; the one that preserves the higher interests of our country. Nigeriens have understood that the battle being fought is a collective matter; hence the spontaneous emergence of a new popular motto: Labou Sanni No in Zarma; Zanchin Kassa né in Hausa; Haala Leydi Non, in Fulfulde, which means: this is a national stake.

What we have succeeded in doing is to awaken the patriotism of Nigeriens, long trampled underfoot by individuals serving personal, partisan and clannish interests, or worse, in the pay of mafia organizations or foreign powers.

What we have succeeded in doing is the sincere support of the population for the Government, which now stands as one body to set the country on the path of development.

What we have succeeded in doing is to prove that Niger can stand tall, face terrorism courageously and successfully, cover its sovereign expenses, make investment expenditures, in short, live, without the so-called foreign assistance often used to threaten or humiliate Nigeriens.

What we have succeeded in doing is that, for the first time in the history of our country, the decisions that concern Niger and its people are made in Niger, by Nigeriens and in the interest of Niger, and nowhere else.

This is moreover what has allowed us, with full responsibility and despite the difficult context we are experiencing, to take social measures that are both symbolic and strong, which include, among others: the reduction of pump prices for gasoline and diesel, the reduction of the costs of certain medical and surgical procedures, the reduction of school fees, and support for the prices of certain essential goods.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you can see, Niger has embarked on a new dynamic of governance. This approach was consolidated by the national conclave held in Niamey from 15 to 20 February 2025, which brought together all the living forces of the nation. This conclave resulted in the adoption of important recommendations and the drafting of a Charter of Refoundation. It also made it possible, in accordance with the Charter, to progressively put in place our institutions: the Consultative Council of Refoundation, the Court of State, the Court of Auditors, the Commission for the Fight against Economic, Financial and Fiscal Crime (COLDEFF), the National Communication Observatory, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.

Next, on the diplomatic level, Niger has not only expanded its diplomatic footprint with the opening of several diplomatic missions and consular posts, but has also redefined the framework of its cooperation with its partners. This framework is now founded on absolute respect for our sovereignty, our strategic choices and the legitimate aspirations of the Nigerien people.

Likewise, Niger has also embarked on a vast agricultural production program aimed at ensuring the food self-sufficiency of its hardworking populations, through the development of thousands of hectares of arable land through large-scale irrigation.

The results we have achieved are encouraging after one year of implementation. Indeed, for the first time in its recent history, the country is not experiencing a lean season; a period during which the assistance of the international community is systematically sought.

Our ambition is for Niger to achieve its food sovereignty: God willing, Niger will no longer request food aid to feed its populations.

On the economic level, despite the iniquitous sanctions imposed on Niger and the economic and financial blockade that France is attempting to put in place against our country, we have courageously maintained the course of macroeconomic reforms, which have notably resulted in: inflation under control, at -0.1% at the end of August 2025, and we anticipate real economic growth of around 7% over the 2025-2028 period. Furthermore, our budget deficit, which stood at 5.4% of GDP in 2023, will be contained to 3% by the end of 2025. Finally, considerable efforts are being deployed to improve our debt profile.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Regarding the question of human rights, Niger reaffirms its attachment to the international legal instruments to which it is a party. However, it forcefully denounces the differentiated and selective approach observed in the application of human rights principles by certain countries, for the sole purpose of harming the image of our States.

Also, I wish to announce clearly that Niger and all the countries of the AES Confederation, deeply attached to respect for human dignity and the flourishing of their populations, accept no lessons in this matter from any entity whatsoever.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Faced with these security, diplomatic and development challenges, Burkina, Mali and Niger made the historic decision to create a strategic alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States. Within this framework, we coordinate our policies and build our future together, with our own ideas and our own models of development founded on our ancestral values, in a space that will very soon, God willing, be rid of all forms of threat.

Allow me to conclude, Madam President, by assuring you that within the AES Confederation, we act resolutely, both individually and collectively, to strengthen our common security within the concert of nations.

And, let me also say very clearly that, contrary to what is sometimes conveyed, the AES Confederation and its member States, in particular Niger, remain open to other organizations and other countries. However, this openness cannot come at the expense of our legitimate aspirations, namely respect, sovereignty, the protection of our populations and the defense of our interests.

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

To conclude my remarks, I would say that Niger, a land of a thousand years on the edges of the Sahara, faces, by its history and its geography, multiple adversities:

• The effects of climate change, droughts followed by floods that make the lives of our farmers and herders increasingly precarious.

• The poverty of our populations and the continued state of need of much of our youth, despite the wealth of our subsoil, long exploited by foreign powers without shame.

• Terrorism, encouraged and financed by Western powers each time we denounce the one-sided agreements they have their local lackeys sign in order to continue exploiting our resources as they please. This orchestrated terrorism plunges our cities into mourning, empties our countryside of its vital forces by sowing terror there, and deprives our rural populations of schools and medical care.

But Niger, together with the two other countries of the AES, is being reborn, and refoundation is today underway, driven by our three Heads of State and by the firm will of its people, determined to take charge of their destiny.

The Refoundation underway in Niger is not a break with the international community, but the solemn affirmation of our sovereignty, our dignity and our inalienable right to choose our partnerships for the well-being of our children.

• Our absolute priority remains security. The fight against terrorism that we have undertaken, we wage for ourselves, for our region, and for the stability of the entire world. For we have understood that we can count only on our own strength and not on a powerless UN, hampered by the veto rights of Western countries.

• The refoundation of Niger also passes through economic progress, through a judicious and responsible exploitation of our immense and varied natural resources. It is time for this wealth to benefit our people more. In this regard, we commit to virtuous governance and we invite international investors who wish to do so to accompany us in a win-win partnership. We extend our hand to all the countries of the world who believe in a partnership founded on mutual respect, justice and solidarity.

• Refoundation is also and above all about ensuring security and food self-sufficiency in our country. In this regard, the Government of Niger is banking on agro-ecology and large-scale irrigation. Relying on our own means remains the creed of the Head of State, Army General Abdourahamane Tiani.

Madam President,

We still believe in multilateralism as a way to meet global challenges. However, this multilateralism must be reformed to be more inclusive and more just. Africa must have the place it deserves in international decision-making bodies, including the Security Council. The voice of the AES must be heard when the peace of the world is discussed.

Let us work together to build a more resilient world. A world where security is not the privilege of a few powers, but the right of all countries, large or small. A world where the opinion of every nation counts without any discrimination and where the cries of peoples are heard.

I thank you for your kind attention.