Following the military coup in Niger on 26 July, the EU adopted, on Monday 23 October, an autonomous framework for restrictive measures. The decision was adopted the same day by the Council of the EU, without debate.
Preparations for this measure were announced at the end of August by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell (see EUROPE 13240/3), but the Member States were not unanimous in imposing targeted sanctions on the perpetrators of the coup d’état led by General Tchiani (see EUROPE 13248/8).
The framework of sanctions now adopted will enable the EU to “sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine the constitutional order, democracy, the Rule of law, or constitute serious human rights violations or abuses, or violations of applicable international humanitarian law in Niger”, according to an EU Council press release.
These restrictive measures will consist of an asset freeze and prohibition to make funds available for individuals and entities, as well as a travel ban for individuals. The list of persons and entities concerned has yet to be drawn up.
To safeguard the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or activities that support basic human needs in Niger, this new regime includes a humanitarian exemption to the asset freeze measures in coherence with UN Security Council resolution 2664 (2022).
“The EU has from the very beginning condemned the coup d’état in Niger in the strongest terms (see EUROPE 13231/7). With today’s decision, the EU strengthens its support to ECOWAS’ efforts (Economic Community of West African States, Editor’s note) and sends a clear message: military coups bear costs. In order to safeguard the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or activities that support basic human needs in Niger, this new regime includes a humanitarian exemption”, commented Mr Borrell.
ECOWAS and UEMOA (the West African Economic and Monetary Union) are imposing a total economic and financial blockade on Niger (see EUROPE 13233/2). For a time, ECOWAS considered military intervention to restore constitutional order, but decided against it.
The EU has suspended all development and security cooperation with Niger.
On 18 October, it had set up a humanitarian air bridge to respond to requests from partner humanitarian organisations whose operations were becoming increasingly difficult (see EUROPE 13274/35).
At the European Council meeting on 26 and 27 October, the EU27 leaders are expected to call for “the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family”, as the EU considers Mohamed Bazoum to be the only legitimate authority in Niger.
To see the draft conclusions of the European Council dated October 22: https://aeur.eu/f/97p (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)