2023-07-30 07:30:15
West African countries meet on Sunday for a “special summit” following the military coup in Niger, with likely sanctions.
West African countries meet in Abuja on Sunday for a “special summit” to assess the situation in Niger following the military coup, with likely sanctions in the wake of those decided by France and the EU.
The pressure increases every day a little more regarding the new proclaimed strongman of the country, the putschist general Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard of Niger, at the origin of the fall of Mohamed Bazoum, kidnapped for four days. In fact, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, 15 members) can pronounce sanctions once morest Nigerone of its members, and following in the footsteps of the EU and France, which have decided to suspend their budget supportand even security on the side of the European institution, not recognizing the “authorities” resulting from the putsch.
The Nigerian president at the head of the West African bloc, Bola Tinubu, had condemned the blow on Wednesday and promised that the organization and the international community “would do everything to defend democracy” and its “rooting” in the sub-region.
French official development aid for Niger amounted to 120 million euros in 2022. It was supposed to be slightly higher in 2023 but will therefore not be delivered, according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As for theAfrican Union (AU), on Friday it issued a 15-day ultimatum to the military to restore “constitutional authority”.
The head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken assured Mr. Bazoum of the “unwavering support” of Washington, ensuring that the coup jeopardized the “partnership” between the United States and Niger. He also spoke with Mr Tinubu on Sunday, expressing his “deep concern” while hailing the Nigerian President’s “leadership” and “efforts” to “restore constitutional order in Niger”, spokesman Matthew Miller reported. of the State Department.
1690704561
#Sanctions #expected #Nigerian #putchists
