Niger: Regime calls for replacement of EU ambassador

Niger’s military regime said on Sunday that it had requested the replacement of the European Union ambassador before his recall announced on Saturday by the EU for “consultations” in Brussels, with the Nigerien government criticizing aid for victims of recent floods.

The Nigerien authorities accused the EU on Friday of having redistributed “unilaterally” to foreign NGOs providing humanitarian aid of 1.3 million euros from the EU to foreign NGOs, without them having been informed at the time. prior. They declared that they were carrying out an audit and called on the EU to do the same.

The next day, the EU expressed its “deep disagreement” after the aid management arrangements were called into question and announced the recall of its ambassador to Niger, Salvador Pinto da França, for “consultations” in Brussels. She also indicated “want to continue to support the population”.

“End aid delivery operations”

On Sunday, the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that it had summoned Salvador Pinto Da França on October 14 to “end the operations” of aid delivery, before “noting” their continuation.

The government says it then concluded that “collaboration” with Salvador Pinto da França was “no longer possible” and “officially requested his recall and replacement as soon as possible”.

Niger “never launched an appeal for international humanitarian aid following the floods”, specifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Contrary to diplomatic practices”

“The announcement of this unsolicited aid appeared on social networks two weeks before the Nigerien authorities were officially informed, which is contrary to diplomatic practices,” he continues.

The Nigerien military regime, which came to power in July 2023 after overthrowing civilian President Mohamed Bazoum – sequestered since then – maintains hostile relations with Europeans, in particular with France, of which it was a colony. In Niger, nearly 1.5 million people were affected by recent floods which officially left 339 dead, an exceptional figure.

“Latest news”

Want to stay on top of the news? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your email box. So you don’t miss anything that’s happening in your canton, in Switzerland or around the world.

Other newsletters

Log in

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

1 comment