France and EU cut off financial aid to Niger after military coup
(Baonghean.vn) - France and the European Union (EU) have cut off financial aid to Niger after a coup in the West African country overthrew the democratically elected president.
In a statement, France called for "the immediate return to constitutional order in Niger", adding to international pressure on the coup plotters.
The move came shortly after the EU suspended all security cooperation with Niger on the morning of July 29, and announced that it would no longer provide financial support. Niger is one of the poorest countries, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in aid each year.
Abdourahamane Tiani, a general who heads Niger's presidential guard, has been declared the country's new leader after President Mohamed Bazoum was detained earlier this week.
“This unacceptable attack on the integrity of Niger’s republican institutions will not go unnoticed and will have consequences for the partnership and cooperation between the European Union and Niger…” said Josep Borell, the EU’s foreign policy chief.
“President Bazoum was democratically elected and is and remains the only legitimate president of Niger. He must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
Leaders from Washington to Moscow have called for Mr. Bazoum's release, but this has yet to be done.
On July 29, the African Union (AU) demanded that Niger’s military forces “immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority” within 15 days. The AU warned that it would “take necessary action, including sanctions against the perpetrators, if the rights of political detainees are not respected.”
Mr. Borell and French President Emmanuel Macron both said they would be ready to support regional organizations, including the Economic Community of West African States, if they decided to impose sanctions on Niger.
It is not yet clear how international pressure will affect the decision of the usurpers.
A detained aide loyal to Niger's president says there is discord among the coup plotters. However, Niger's military has backed the coup.
Niger lies at the heart of Africa's Sahel region, which has seen several power grabs in recent years including in Mali and Burkina Faso.
A key ally of the United States, France and other Western governments, Niger is one of the few democracies in the region.
