2023-07-29 16:18:29
The sanctions did not take long to fall. There France suspends “all its development aid and budget support actions” in Niger after the coup d’etat which saw the head of the presidential guard take power in Nigerannounced Saturday, July 29 the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Paris “demands the return without delay to the Nigerien constitutional order, around President Bazoum, elected by the Nigeriens”, reaffirms the ministry in a press release.
Located in the heart of SahelNiger is a vast desert territory with a population of some 20 million, with one of the highest demographic growth rates in the world.
In 2022, French official development assistance for Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, amounted to 120 million euros. A slightly higher amount was so far scheduled for 2023, but will therefore not be delivered to the country, according to the Quai d’Orsay.
The French President Emmanuel Macronon the move Papua New Guineacondemned Friday “with the greatest firmness the military coup” in Niger, “dangerous” for the region, and called for “the release” of President Bazoum.
Read alsoCoup in Niger: Bazoum tried to “gain autonomy” against his presidential guard
Niger was one of France’s last allies in the Sahel, a region plagued by instability, precariousness and jihadist attacks.
France, which put an end to the anti-terrorist operation Barkhane and withdrew from Mali under pressure from the Bamako junta, currently has 1,500 soldiers deployed in Niger who have until now operated jointly with the Nigerien army.
The coup in Niamey is the third in this area since 2020, after the arrival of soldiers in power in Mali and Burkina Faso.
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