The European Union is ready to adopt a framework of autonomous sanctions against the perpetrators of the military coup of 26 July in Niger, and is also ready to examine and implement whatever ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) decides, confirmed the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, on Thursday 31 August in Toledo.
The foreign ministers of the EU Member States discussed the situation in the Sahel and in Niger in particular, as did the defence ministers the day before (see EUROPE 13239/4), but also, at lunch, with the President of the ECOWAS Commission (Economic Community of West African States), the Commissioner for Peace and Security of this regional organisation and the foreign minister of the overthrown president, Mohamed Bazoum, the only one recognised by the EU and “legitimate”, Mr Borrell stressed.
He went on to thank Spain for its initiative in inviting the African participants, “a fantastic idea” that has made it possible to “listen to” ECOWAS and to express “the EU’s full support” in exerting “maximum pressure” to obtain a return to constitutional order in Niger.
ECOWAS, which had initially threatened military intervention on 26 August, is now giving priority to exploring the diplomatic route. This was confirmed by Josep Borrell at the end of the session.
“Of course we prefer the diplomatic route. This is what ECOWAS is doing”, said the High Representative in response to a question about the lack of European consensus on the military option.
On the other hand, all future proposals - “ECOWAS will decide” - will be duly examined by the EU. For the time being, “we have initiated a process of individual sanctions against the putschists, by following ECOWAS”, confirmed the High Representative, reiterating the importance of “African solutions to African problems”.
The framework of economic and financial sanctions will make it possible to freeze the assets of the coup leaders, impose travel bans within the EU and draw up a list of persons and entities to be targeted. This list will be drawn up at a later date.
A humanitarian exception will be provided for “so that limits on trade are not an additional problem for the population”, said Mr Borrell.
In his view, President Bazoum, “held by the putschists” and “deprived of electricity”, is “the only democratically elected president in the Sahel region” and must be supported. The High Representative also expressed the ministers’ solidarity with the French ambassador, who is in a delicate situation in Niamey. Given the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf of Guinea, “we need to review our policy in the Sahel”.
The Spanish minister, José Manuel Albares Bueno, who had met the President of ECOWAS the previous day, stressed that “the Spanish government supports all African options and all those who want to find a peaceful response to the noise of arms”. He stressed that “the situation in Niger is a threat to citizens, democracy and stability, but also to the EU”. All the more so because, “if Africa is a neighbour, the Sahel is a direct neighbour”. He also said he supported France.
Ahead of the session, the German minister, Annalena Baerbock, declared that: “It is our responsibility, at a time when we have called on other countries in the world to support peace in Europe and the defence of international law, not to turn a blind eye, but to be there when they need us. And this applies to the situation in the Sahel. ECOWAS made it clear to us that we should not look the other way when a democratic country, a democratic government, was overthrown overnight by a military putsch”. According to her, this is why Germany, along with France, “has argued strongly for the rapid adoption of a sanctions regime that makes it clear that we, as democratic states in the European Union, stand by other democracies when they need us”.
For the Belgian minister Hadja Lahbib, “Belgium and the EU have invested a great deal in the fight against terrorism; it is important to preserve these achievements and avoid domino effects of contamination, as we are currently seeing in Gabon”.
On the sidelines of the session, the President of the ECOWAS Commission told the press that he had explained “the very firm position” adopted by the regional organisation he heads (an economic and financial blockade) for a return to constitutional order and “the collaboration he is seeking from partners”, pointing out that “the world is a global village and an event somewhere can have repercussions throughout the world”.
“We have been heard. The EU strongly condemns the coup and supports President Bazoum as President of Niger. We welcome this position”, declared the foreign minister of the overthrown president. In his view, “the clarifications provided will enable the EU to consolidate its position”. Asked about his expectations of the EU, he replied: “We expect it to accompany ECOWAS. The decisions must be supported by all democratic countries”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang with Camille-Cerise Gessant)