The military regime in power in Niger has withdrawn the authorization to operate from the French NGO Acted, without specifying the reasons for this decision, which adds to a long list of positions hostile to France.
“The operating authorization granted to the NGO called +Aid Agency for Cooperation and Development – Acted+ (…) is withdrawn” from this Tuesday, November 12, 2024, indicates the Ministry of the Interior in a decree consulted by AFP.
The order, signed by the minister, General Mohamed Toumba, does not indicate any reason.
Another NGO, Nigerien, Action pour le bien-être (APBE) was targeted by the same sanction, in a separate decree.
“The march towards national sovereignty is in full progress in Niger! »declared on his Facebook page, Ibrahim Bana, a Nigerian personality favorable to the regime and influential on social networks.
“The withdrawal of approvals from certain NGOs, whose actions do not align with the priorities of our people, is a strong signal. Niger thus shows that it is master of its destiny, that international aid must respect our vision, our values, and our needs. he added.
Since coming to power through a coup d’état in July 2023 which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, the regime of the Niamey generals has made national sovereignty its priority.
They increased their positions hostile to the West and to France in particular, notably obtaining the departure of French and then American soldiers deployed in the anti-jihadist fight.
The French ambassador was expelled and the Franco-Nigerian cultural center ceased to function as a binational establishment.
Certain French media such as RFI or France 24 have been suspended.
Niger, however, continues to receive aid from international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which concluded an agreement with Niamey on Monday, November 11, 2024, for the disbursement of $43 million.
Present in Niger since 2010, Acted operates in several regions to “provide an emergency response” to populations displaced by the violence.
“Since 2010, Acted has assisted more than a million beneficiaries as part of its various projects”indicates the NGO on its website.
In August 2020, six young French humanitarians from Acted were murdered along with their Nigerien driver and guide in a jihadist attack near Niamey, claimed by ISIS.
Acted then temporarily suspended its activities in Niger, but assured that it had no intention of leaving the country.
With AFP
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