The European Union has cut financial aid to Niger and the US has threatened to do the same after military leaders announced the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum.
“In addition to the immediate suspension of budgetary support, all cooperation in the security field is suspended indefinitely with immediate effect,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
“All externally funded projects will stop. Development projects funded by the EU, the World Bank, the IMF and other organizations, as well as budgetary aid to Niger will be stopped,” said Niamey-based economist Abdoulaye Soly.
Mr. Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union. Photo: Al Jazeera
According to its website, the EU has allocated €503 million ($554 million) from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger for the period 2021-2024. Through the European Peace Fund, the EU has approved around €70 million to support Niger's armed forces since July 2022, including €4.7 million in weapons approved on June 8.
Although much of the international community has condemned Niger's military for overthrowing President Bazoum, the EU's move appears to be one of the first concrete steps to punish the country's coup.
France has suspended all development aid and budget support with immediate effect, the French Foreign Ministry said. It also demanded a rapid return to constitutional order with Bazoum in charge in Niger. French development aid to Niger is expected to total around 120 million euros ($130 million) in 2022, and is expected to be higher this year.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference at Queensland Government House in Brisbane, July 29. Photo: Korea Times/AFP
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also affirmed: "Our important economic and security partnership worth hundreds of millions of dollars with Niger depends on the continuation of democratic governance and constitutional order that has been disrupted by the actions of the past few days."
“That support is clearly in jeopardy as a result of these actions. That is another reason why they need to be reversed immediately,” Mr. Blinken said.
Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries, receiving nearly $2 billion in official development assistance each year, according to the World Bank. The West African nation is also a security partner of France and the United States, both of which see it as a base to fight an Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region of West and Central Africa.
The US has two military bases in Niger with about 1,100 soldiers, and provides hundreds of millions of dollars to support security and development in this country.
General Abdourahmane Tchiani, right, declared himself Niger's new head of state on July 28. Photo: Washington Post
Niger's foreign allies have refused to recognize the new military government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, who was previously head of the presidential guard and declared himself head of state on July 28.
The European Union and other countries say they still recognise Mr Bazeom as the legitimate president, although there has been no news of him since he was detained in the Presidential Palace .
Nguyen Tuyet (According to Reuters, SCMP, CNN)
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