2023-07-31 17:42:00
Niamey: Germany suspends financial aid and cooperation with Niger following military coup.
A German foreign ministry spokesman told a news conference that all direct financial support to Niger’s central government would be suspended until further notice.
“We will consult with our partners on how to proceed. “It is important for Germany how the African Union and the economic community of West African states react,” Jochen Flasberth, state secretary at the federal ministry, wrote on Twitter.
The German military had been training Niger’s special forces since 2018, but it was discontinued at the end of 2022.
The European Union also announced yesterday that it has cut all economic and security support to Niger.
“In addition to the immediate cessation of economic support, all cooperation measures in the security sector have been suspended indefinitely,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
According to their website, 503 million euros ($554 million) have been allocated from the EU budget to improve governance, education and sustainable growth in Niger from 2021 to 2024.
Last Wednesday, the Presidential Guard Unit staged a coup in Niger. The army had announced that the constitution had been abrogated and the government had taken over. The coup was carried out by arresting President Muhammad Basouma.
Later, Colonel Major Amadou Abdraman declared himself as the leader of Niger. He was announcing that he was the president of the National Council for the Safeguard.
In 2011, Amadou Abdraman, also known as Omar Chiani, took charge of the Presidential Guard. Then in 2018, former President Mahamadou Issoufou gave him the title of General.
Although he was involved in the 2015 coup once morest the president, he denied it in court. Abdramane had said following the coup that the government had taken over due to continued security lapses and poor economic and social governance. Abdramane also asked all external stakeholders not to interfere in this.
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