France and the EU has cut financial assistance to Niger after military coup

 

Following the overthrow of Niger's democratically elected president by a coup, France and the EU have stopped providing financial assistance to the West African nation.

The former colonial power of Niger, France, added to the growing international pressure on the coup plotters by calling for the "immediate return to the Nigerien constitutional order" in a statement.

The action was taken soon after the European Union said earlier on Saturday that it would no longer be providing financial assistance and cease any security cooperation with Niger. One of the poorest nations in the world, Niger gets aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

After President Mohamed Bazoum was imprisoned earlier this week, Abdourahamane Tiani, a general who oversees the nation's presidential guard, was sworn in as the new president.

According to Josep Borell, head of foreign affairs for the EU, "this unacceptable attack on the integrity of Niger's republican institutions will not remain without consequences for the partnership and cooperation between the European Union and Niger, in all its various aspects."

"President Bazoum was democratically chosen and is still Niger's sole legal leader. He must be freed immediately and without conditions.

The release of Bazoum has been demanded by leaders from Washington to Moscow, but to no effect.

The Nigerien military was ordered to "immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority" by the African Union on Saturday. If the rights of political prisoners are not protected, the AU threatened to "take necessary action, including punitive measures against the perpetrators."

If the Economic Community of West African States decides to impose penalties on Niger, both Borell and French President Emmanuel Macron said that they would be ready to support them.

It is unknown to what degree those aiming to grab power would be influenced by foreign pressure.

There was infighting among the plotters, according to an adviser who supported the overthrown president. The military of Niger has supported the coup, nevertheless.

The Sahel area of Africa, which includes Mali and Burkina Faso, has seen multiple power grabs recently. Niger is located in the center of this region.

One of the few democracies in a region rife with Islamist insurgencies, Niger has been a crucial friend of the US, France, and other Western nations.