Brussels, 29/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On 27 October, the EU decided without debate to begin a political consultation process with the authorities of Niger to give the latter an opportunity to present proposals for a crisis exit strategy.
Consultation is foreseen under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement with a view to remedying non compliance with one or several essential elements of the agreement (respect of democratic principles, human rights and rule of law), linking the EU and 78 ACP countries (African/Caribbean/Pacific).
In the case in hand, the EU reproaches the president of Niger, Mamadou Tandja, for having organised a referendum against the opinion of the constitutional court on a new constitution that would allow him to remain at his post upon expiry of his second mandate (EUROPE 9954).
A letter will be sent to the authorities of Niger this week inviting them to the consultation and explaining the underlying reasons for this. If accepted by the Nigerian side, consultation will be held in Brussels at a date yet to be decided by both sides, at the latest 30 days after the invitation.
Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement makes these political consultations a stage prior to partial if not total suspension of cooperation, if no solution is found to remedy the failings denounced. Such penalties are always a last resort. (A.N./transl.jl)