EU suspended with immediate effect financial support and security cooperation with Niger
The European Union has suspended with immediate effect financial support and security cooperation with Niger following the military coup in the country, a senior EU diplomat said on Saturday, Reuters reports.
Coup leaders on Friday declared General Abdourahamane Tiani head of state, removing the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum, from power.
The EU, US and other countries have called for the unconditional release of Mohamed Bazoum from detention and the restoration of democratic order in the country. "In addition to the immediate cessation of budget support, all security cooperation actions are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.
Niger is a major recipient of Western aid and a key partner of the EU in curbing illegal migration from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU is also running a military training mission in Niger, but with a small number of troops. The EU has allocated €503 million from its budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger between 2021-2024, according to the EU website.
Soldiers in the West African country of Niger announced a coup on national television, with the president detained, reports the BBC.
