The US and former colonial power France view Niger as a crucial partner in addressing security issues in the region…reports Asian Lite News
The European Union (EU) has decided to cut off financial support to Niger following the military coup there and in a similar reaction, the African Union has also called on the Nigerien military to “return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority,” Al Jazeera reported.
Josep Borrell, the head of the EU’s foreign policy, said in a statement on Saturday that “In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect.” This comes after General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the chief of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government on Friday this week straight after his soldiers detained President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday.
Borrell further said in his statement that the coup leaders should be held accountable for ensuring the safety of the president and his family.
He also stated that Bazoum “remains the only legitimate president of Niger.
The EU has set out 503 million euros ($554 million) from its budget, according to its website, to enhance Niger’s governance, education, and sustainable growth between 2021 and 2024, Al Jazeera reported.
Meanwhile, the African Union asked that the Nigerian military return to their barracks.
Following a meeting on the Niger coup on Friday, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council issued a declaration demanding that the military troops “immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days, according to Al Jazeera.
The group said that it “condemns in the strongest terms possible” the overthrow of the duly-elected government.
Prior to the swearing-in of the then-newly elected Bazoum in March 2021, when forces attempted to take over the presidential palace, Tchiani spearheaded the resistance.
The first peaceful transfer of power since Niger’s independence from France in 1960, was the pro-West Bazoum election.
The US and former colonial power France view Niger as a crucial partner in addressing security issues in the region. Niger borders seven African nations, including Libya, Chad, and Nigeria.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted, “I condemn in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace & stability in Niger. The @UN stands by the Government and the people of Niger.”
‘US assistance to Niger in clear jeopardy’
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that if the situation continues the US assistance to Niger is “in jeopardy,” The Hill reported.
Delivering his remarks at a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, the US State Secretary Antony Blinken said, “Our economic and security partnership with Niger – which is significant, hundreds of millions of dollars — depends on the continuation of the democratic governance and constitutional order that has been disrupted by the actions in the last few days.” “So that assistance, that support, is in clear jeopardy as a result of these actions, which is another reason why they need to be immediately reversed,” Blinken added, according to The Hill.
For the negotiations, which will also centre on an agreement to give Australia a fleet of submarines powered by US nuclear technology, Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Brisbane, Australia, late on Friday.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday spoke to Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and former president Mahamadou Issoufou, saying the US will continue to work to ensure full restoration of democratic rule in Niger.
“Secretary Blinken underscored that the United States will continue to work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order and democratic rule in Niger,” US State Department said in an official statement.
Blinken further stressed the importance of his continuing leadership in Niamey. “The Secretary reiterated to President Bazoum the United States’ unflagging support and emphasized the importance of his continuing leadership in Niamey,” the statement added.
He further praised Bazoum’s role in promoting security not only in Niger but the wider West Africa region.
France cuts off financial support
France has cut off financial support to Niger after a coup toppled the West African country’s democratically elected president, CNN reported.
France in a statement called for the “immediate return to the Nigerien constitutional order” adding to the mounting international pressure on the coup plotters. The move came shortly after the European Union suspended all security cooperation to Niger on Saturday and announced that it would no longer provide financial support. Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries and receives hundreds of millions of dollars each year in assistance, as per CNN.
A general who leads the country’s presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tiani, was declared the country’s new leader after President Mohamed Bazoum was detained earlier this week.
EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borell said: “This unacceptable attack on the integrity of Niger’s republican institutions will not remain without consequences for the partnership and cooperation between the European Union and Niger, in all its various aspects.”