Niger Loses Support as Western Nations Condemn Coup

NIAMEY (Reuters) – The European Union has reduce off monetary assist to Niger and the USA has threatened to do the identical after army leaders this week introduced that they had overthrown the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger is likely one of the poorest international locations on this planet, receiving near $2 billion a 12 months in official improvement help, in keeping with the World Financial institution.

It is usually a key safety companion of Western international locations resembling France and the USA, which use it as a base for his or her efforts to comprise an Islamist insurgency in West and Central Africa’s Sahel area. Beforehand seen probably the most secure nation amongst a number of unstable neighbours, Niger is the world’s seventh-biggest producer of uranium.

Niger’s overseas allies to date have refused to acknowledge the brand new army authorities led by Normal Abdourahamane Tiani, beforehand head of the presidential guard, who officers declared head of state on Friday.

Bazoum has not been heard from since early Thursday when he was confined inside the presidential palace, though the European Union, France and others say they nonetheless acknowledge him because the official president.

“Along with the instant cessation of price range assist, all cooperation actions within the area of safety are suspended indefinitely with instant impact,” EU overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned in an announcement.

Niger is a key companion of the European Union in serving to curb the move of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU additionally has a small variety of troops in Niger for a army coaching mission.

The EU allotted 503 million euros ($554 million) from its price range to enhance governance, training and sustainable development in Niger over 2021-2024, in keeping with its web site.

The USA has two army bases in Niger with some 1,100 troopers, and in addition supplies a whole bunch of tens of millions of {dollars} to the nation in safety and improvement support.

“The very important help that we have now in place for folks in Niger is clearly in jeopardy,” mentioned U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. U.S. assist depends upon the continuation of democratic governance, he mentioned.

The United Nations mentioned the coup has not affected its deliveries of humanitarian support.

It’s unclear how a lot assist the army junta has amongst Niger’s inhabitants. Some crowds got here out in assist of Bazoum on Wednesday, however the next day coup supporters additionally took to the streets.

The Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) will maintain an emergency summit in Nigeria on Sunday to debate the scenario.

After an emergency assembly on Friday, the African Union’s Peace and Safety Council issued an announcement demanding the army return to their barracks and restore constitutional order inside 15 days. It didn’t say what would occur after that.

(Reporting by Moussa Aksar and Boureima Balima in Niamey and Kate Abnett in Brussels, Writing by Nellie Peyton; Enhancing by Giles Elgood)

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