On Friday 28 July, the European Union threatened Niger with the suspension of all financial aid in the event of a “breakdown in constitutional order”, according to a press release issued by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
The EU “condemns in the strongest possible terms the coup d’état in Niger. The events of the last few days constitute a serious threat to stability and democracy in Niger”, the press release states.
“As ECOWAS points out, this coup de force is in total violation of the democratic principles on which the management of political power in the region is based. The EU reiterates its support for the action taken by the sub-regional organisation and for the efforts underway to ensure an immediate return to constitutional order”.
The EU calls for “President Bazoum’s security and freedom of movement to be guaranteed unconditionally”, adds the High Representative, assuring that “any breach of the constitutional order will have consequences for cooperation between the EU and Niger, including the immediate suspension of all budgetary support”.
The EU stands by the people of Niger and reaffirms its full commitment to strict respect for the rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law in Niger, the High Representative added. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)