Exclusive Interview
Peaceful Atom, Iran, and the Sahel: Niger’s View on the 11th NPT Review Conference: Interview with Ari Tila by Alexandra Zubenko
Mr. Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou,
First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Niger to the United Nations
May 13, 2026
PIR Center spoke with Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Niger to the United Nations. In the interview, he discussed the key disagreements shaping the 11th NPT Review Conference in New York, the priorities of Niger and African states in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the prospects for adopting a final document, and also touched upon issues of regional security in the Sahel and cooperation between AES countries and Russia.
The interview was conducted by Ms. Alexandra Zubenko, Deputy Director at PIR Center.
Ms. Alexandra Zubenko: What are your general impressions of the Review Conference so far?
Mr. Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou: Thank you for the opportunity to express myself on PIR Center’s platform. First, allow me to note that I had of the pleasure to visiting Moscow in 2024 as a Fellow of Next Generation Segment at the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference. As a young diplomat newly posted at the time, I had the chance to exchange views with several other young people from diverse profiles and regions on disarmament issues in Moscow.
Regarding the 11th NPT Review Conference currently underway – from April 27 to May 22, 2026, in New York- as in previous ones, persistent well-known fault lines between nuclear powers have emerged, along with interventions involving the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly on nuclear disarmament, security guarantees, and the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy. These have been the main points of divergence.
The first point of contention in the first week, on the very day of the opening, was the challenge to Iran’s designation as vice-president of the Bureau. As you know, this meeting must elect, or rather designate, 34 vice-presidents, distributed among regional groups. Iran was designated for this position on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, among other countries. From the outset, when the conference president announced this designation, the atmosphere was already quite tense.
Some states felt that this designation undermined the credibility of the NPT and the non-proliferation regime, arguing that Iran does not comply with its safeguards and verification obligations. The United States was the main critic of this designation, as it was the first to speak out and dissociate itself from the consensus on this nomination. Iran then took the floor under its right of reply, rejecting these accusations as politically motivated and unfounded.
It must simply be said that the current context of the crisis in the Middle East and elsewhere on nuclear issues makes discussions in the room increasingly difficult, including during the meetings of the three main committees, with grievances against each other and rights of reply that, in essence, give a bad feeling about the adoption of the final document.
Ms. Alexandra Zubenko: What are Niger’s priorities, and more broadly those of African states at the conference?
Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou: Niger’s priorities include continued support for the inalienable right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, particularly equitable access to civilian nuclear technologies, especially in health, agriculture, water, energy, and industrial development.
In this specific context, as I already stated in my intervention on May 6, 2026, during the general debate in the Third Main Committee dedicated to the third pillar of the NPT, Niger reaffirms its commitment and compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while emphasizing the importance of the peaceful use of nuclear energy and our inalienable right to benefit from it.
I personally stressed that Niger attaches particular importance to the use of peaceful nuclear technologies under IAEA safeguards, in accordance with the NPT’s third pillar. Our country is already implementing an advanced project involving isotopic hydrology. This is an innovative nuclear technique supported by the IAEA, aimed at optimizing water resource management. In this framework, a national water analysis laboratory is at an advanced stage of establishment, which will strengthen our scientific and technical capacities.
In other areas, Niger is also actively working to improve its health system, particularly through a national oncology center dedicated to cancer treatment and a radiotherapy center developed with support from the IAEA’s “Rays of Hope” initiative. These projects are made possible through partnership with the IAEA.
Furthermore, the current IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, visited Niger in March 2025, during which he toured uranium mining sites as well as other facilities related to safeguards and compliance with IAEA standards.
These are Niger’s main priorities, but they are not the only ones. More broadly, almost all African states emphasize access to nuclear technologies in their statements, a position also supported by the African Group. As you know, for each major meeting or conference, the African Group, like other state groups, negotiates a common position in advance to state our priorities and concerns. However, this does not prevent any member state from making individual statements to declare its national priorities; but, for consistency, we almost all associate ourselves with the African Group’s position during its reading, and/or that of the NAM, of which we are members and within which we also negotiate a common position. Overall, the African Group advocates for the elimination of nuclear weapons, the peaceful use of nuclear technologies, etc.
Ms. Alexandra Zubenko: I have not seen a working paper submitted by AFCONE. Why?
Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou: Allow me to clarify that AFCONE did not submit a traditional working paper; however, it did submit an official memorandum dated April 17, 2026, regarding its activities related to the Pelindaba Treaty. This document presents AFCONE’s various activities, particularly in the areas of compliance, nuclear security, peaceful applications, and international cooperation.
Ms. Alexandra Zubenko: How do you assess the prospects for adopting a final document?
Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou: At this stage of the instrument’s technical negotiations, nothing has been decided yet. However, it should be noted that the rules of procedure favor adoption by consensus, which is the guiding principle of this conference.
In my view, reaching a consensus will be very difficult. Divergences are numerous, particularly on nuclear safeguards and other sensitive issues. Previous conferences have already shown the fragility of consensus, especially in the current context marked by tensions around Iran, the Middle East, Ukraine, and the modernization of nuclear arsenals by possessors.
In the absence of consensus, a vote remains possible, even if it is not the preferred option. I do not rule out adopting a document, but it will depend on the evolution of the discussions. For a document to be adopted, it must be balanced and acceptable to all.
Ms. Alexandra Zubenko: Can you comment on the current situation in Mali?
Ari Koutale Tila Boulama Mamadou: Regarding the recent situation in Mali, I strongly condemn what has occurred. It is regrettable and deeply concerning. The situation is all the more worrying as Niger shares a long border with Mali and maintains numerous bilateral ties with this friendly country.
Recent attacks show that Malian authorities, particularly the armed forces, are strengthening their operational capacities and managing to contain attacks supported by obscurantist forces and external geopolitical interests. As you know, the FLA and JNIM* are now an inseparable and allied group since their agreement, and it is regrettable that states claiming to fight terrorism neither protest nor condemn these events, especially since terrorism is a global phenomenon without borders or specific targets.
The situation remains concerning, but cooperation within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and with friendly countries, notably the Russian Federation, has demonstrated that the FAMA has grown in strength, with a capable force. This is what all states should support in the fight against terrorism.
In this context, the defense forces of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali are progressively strengthening their operational and technical capacities and recording advances on the ground. This indeed demonstrates the relevance of the AES. Furthermore, caution is advised regarding circulating information, particularly on networks and in certain media that, unfortunately, glorify terrorism. In such contexts, disinformation campaigns can amplify or distort the reality of events, complicating understanding of the situation.
The Alliance of Sahel States plays an important role in coordinating security efforts between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, particularly in intelligence sharing and joint actions. The establishment of a joint force represents a significant advance in the fight against terrorism, including transnational trafficking.
However, lasting stabilization of the region will require a comprehensive approach combining security, development, governance, and cooperation with international partners. In this regard, our authorities are taking action. Finally, in my opinion, Sahel regional stabilization will require good-faith cooperation from neighboring states and strengthened support from international partners. Here, the partnership with the Russian Federation must be commended in this specific context, as recent attacks have demonstrated that a sincere partnership is essential to repel any attack, from anyone, anywhere.
* Recognized as terrorist organizations and banned in the territory of the Russian Federation
Keywords: NPT; Nuclear nonproliferation; RevCon 2026
NPT
E16/SHAH – 26/05/13
