The EU halts financial assistance to Niger, and the AU urges the armed forces to go back to their barracks.

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Following this week's military coup, the African Union has asked for the coup's military commanders to return to their barracks. In response, the European Union has announced that it is suspending financial assistance and security cooperation with Niger.


After his troops detained President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the chief of Niger's presidential guard, proclaimed himself the leader of a transitional government on Friday.


Josep Borrell, the head of the EU's foreign policy, said in a statement on Saturday that "all cooperation actions in the domain of security are suspended indefinitely with immediate effect, in addition to the immediate cessation of budget support."


The EU has set out 503 million euros ($554 million) from its budget, according to its website, to enhance Niger's governance, education, and sustainable development between 2021 and 2024.


The coup organisers should be held accountable for ensuring the safety of the president and his family, according to Borrell's statement, which also said that Bazoum "remains the only legitimate president of Niger."


Borrell said that the EU was prepared to back any future choices made by the regional grouping of West Africa, "including the adoption of sanctions."


The senior American diplomat had earlier pledged his "unflagging support" to the deposed leader of Niger and warned his captors that hundreds of millions of dollars in aid may be in jeopardy if democratic principles were not upheld.


After his overthrow in the coup, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Bazoum over the phone that Washington will try to restore the rule of law, the state department said on Friday.


Additionally, Blinken "lauded Bazoum's contribution to promoting security not only in Niger but also in the larger West African region."


Blinken made his remarks after telling Bazoum earlier in the week that Washington's help for the landlocked African country will be conditioned on its "democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights."


The 62-year-old General Tchiani said in a speech broadcast on state television on Friday that he had taken over the administration to stop "the gradual and inevitable demise" of the nation.


In addition, the African Union asked that the Nigerian military "return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority" within 15 days after seizing control.


Following a meeting on the Niger coup on Friday, the African Union's Peace and Security Council issued a declaration demanding that the military troops "immediately and unconditionally return to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days."


The organisation voiced its "deep concern" over the "alarming resurgence" of military coups across Africa and said it "condemns in the strongest terms possible" the removal of the elected administration.


Before the swearing-in of the then-newly elected Bazoum in March 2021, when forces attempted to take over the presidential palace, Tchiani spearheaded the resistance.


The first peaceful transfer of power since Niger's independence from France in 1960, was the pro-West Bazoum election.


The US and former colonial power France see Niger as a crucial partner in addressing security issues in the area. Niger borders seven African nations, including Libya, Chad, and Nigeria.


The nation has received an estimated $500 million in aid from the US military since 2012, making it the top beneficiary in West Africa.


Additionally, the nation is home to around 2,000 WesteFranceiers, mostly from the US and France.

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